Crime
Multiple people detained after reports of shooting at Cumberland Mall, no victim located
Investigators are actively working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Cumberland Mall, Cobb County, GA – An increased law enforcement presence was observed Sunday evening at Cumberland Mall as Cobb County Police responded to reports of a shooting stemming from a large fight.
The incident occurred as the mall was bustling with shoppers completing last-minute holiday errands.
According to initial reports, multiple individuals have been detained for questioning.
However, authorities have stated that no shooting victims have been located at this time.
Investigators are actively working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Cobb County Police have issued a public advisory asking residents and shoppers to avoid the area while the investigation remains ongoing.
Officers are maintaining a strong presence at the scene to ensure public safety and gather evidence related to the reported altercation.
“We are aware of the situation and are taking every precaution to secure the area while conducting a thorough investigation,” a police spokesperson stated.
Further updates are expected as additional details become available.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about the incident to contact the Cobb County Police Department. In the meantime, residents are urged to remain vigilant and steer clear of the area until it has been deemed secure.
Crime
Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia
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.
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.”
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.