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Five Family Members Found Dead in West Valley City Home in Suspected Homicide

At this time, it remains unclear whether the 17-year-old boy is a suspect or a victim.

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Five Family Members Found Dead in West Valley City Home in Suspected Homicide

Tragedy struck a quiet West Valley City neighborhood on Tuesday when five family members, including three children, were found dead in their home in what police are investigating as a homicide.

The discovery was made at a residence on the 3700 block of Oxford Way in the afternoon, according to Roxeanne Vainuku, a spokeswoman for the West Valley City Police Department.

Concerns arose when a relative of the family attempted to contact a woman living in the home over several days but received no response.

On Monday night, officers conducted a welfare check at the residence but found no signs of an emergency or criminal activity.

The situation escalated when the woman failed to show up for work on Tuesday. Concerned, the relative entered the home through the garage, where she discovered a 17-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound.

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Police were called to the scene around 2:10 p.m.

Upon arrival, officers found the injured teenager in the garage. He was promptly transported to a hospital and remains in critical condition with significant injuries.

Inside the home, officers made a grim discovery: the bodies of five family members.

The victims were identified as a 42-year-old man, a 38-year-old woman, an 11-year-old boy, a 9-year-old girl, and a 2-year-old girl.

Police confirmed that all six individuals lived in the home and were part of the same family. Investigators are working to determine the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.

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A search warrant has been obtained to further examine the property.

At this time, it remains unclear whether the 17-year-old boy is a suspect or a victim.

Police emphasized that the incident appears to be isolated and assured the public that there are no suspects at large.

The tragedy has left neighbors on the typically tranquil street in shock.

“This is just a total shock. I can’t believe this happened,” said Michael Webster, a neighbor who noted that nothing like this had ever occurred in their area before.

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Another neighbor, Tristan Williams, expressed disbelief, saying, “You don’t really realize how real the world can be until it’s close to home.”

Neighbors also noted unusual activity in the days leading up to the discovery, including a family dog that had gone unfed.

As the investigation unfolds, police are focused on piecing together what happened inside the home and determining the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident.

The West Valley City community is reeling from the loss of an entire family and grappling with the unimaginable tragedy that has shaken their sense of safety and peace.


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Crime

Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia

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Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia 1300 block of Walnut Street

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A security guard has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting at a Center City IHOP over the weekend that left a 43-year-old man dead.

The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday at the IHOP located in the 1300 block of Walnut Street, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.

When officers arrived, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, who police say was unhoused, was transported to Jefferson Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

Investigators report that the victim had been causing a disturbance inside the restaurant prior to the shooting. As security personnel escorted him outside, he allegedly turned and spat on one of the guards.

That guard, identified as 38-year-old Yahaira Melendez, allegedly responded by drawing her firearm and shooting the victim once in the head.

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Police say preliminary findings indicate the victim was not armed at the time of the incident.

Melendez, a mother of three, was taken into custody and has been charged with murder and related offenses.

In a statement Melendez’s family expressed shock and disbelief over the situation, writing in part:

“We are shocked and devastated by the tragic events that occurred at the IHOP while she was working security. We know she would never harm anyone unless she felt she had no other choice to protect herself or others.”

The shooting has left nearby workers and residents shaken.

“Escalation — where was the escalation?” asked Karr Anderson, who works next door to the restaurant. “Security guards need to know how to withhold, how to show restraint.”

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Philadelphia Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether proper security protocols were followed and what led to the use of deadly force.

Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pending family notification.


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