Crime
Juvenile shot at Lindley Middle School in Mableton, Georgia
Cobb County Schools said this was self inflicted.
Lindley Middle School, located at 50 Veterans Memorial Highway, was placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon following a shooting incident on campus, authorities confirmed.
The swift response ensured the safety of students and staff, and the campus has since been thoroughly cleared and deemed secure.
A spokesperson for the Cobb County School District provided additional information regarding the incident at Lindley Middle School, stating, “This afternoon, a student at Lindley Middle School tragically used a firearm in an act of self-harm, which initiated a Code Red lockdown. School administrators, in collaboration with a Cobb County School District police officer, responded promptly and successfully secured the weapon.”
The student was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and remains in critical condition. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, and support services have been made available to the school community to help cope with the tragedy.
Upon receiving reports of the incident, the Cobb County Police Department, in collaboration with the Cobb County School Police, secured the campus and initiated a lockdown to ensure the safety of all students and staff.
Parents were directed to reunite with their children at Leland United Methodist Church at 81 Veterans Memorial Highway, where arrangements were made for an orderly and safe process.
Police and school officials worked closely to manage the situation, and a visible law enforcement presence remains on-site as the investigation continues.
Authorities have not yet released information regarding the circumstances leading to the shooting or the identity of any potential suspects. Law enforcement is actively gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to determine the events that transpired.
Officer Barner expressed gratitude to the community for their cooperation:
“We are working closely with the Cobb County School Police and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and patience during this time.”
The incident has understandably caused concern among parents and the wider community. The Cobb County School District and local law enforcement are committed to maintaining open lines of communication and ensuring the ongoing safety of students and staff.
Counseling and support services will be made available to students, staff, and families affected by this incident. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward to assist in the investigation.
The Cobb County Police Department and the Cobb County School Police will continue their collaborative efforts to ensure a thorough investigation. Updates on the situation will be shared with the public as they become available.
This tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the shared responsibility for ensuring school safety.
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.