Crime
No active threat identified at Newman Regional Health in Emporia
UPDATE: Police confirm the active shooter alarm at Newman Regional Health was a false alarm.
EMPORIA, Kan. — Emporia State University (ESU) issued an emergency alert Thursday afternoon after reports of an active shooter at Newman Regional Health, prompting a lockdown and urgent safety warnings for students, staff, and the surrounding community.
The alert was first sent out at 4:40 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, through the university’s official Twitter/X account and emergency notification system.
The incident reportedly occurred near Cora Miller Hall and Newman Regional Health, both located close to campus.
The initial message from ESU read:
“ESU Alert: An active shooter has been reported at Newman Regional Health. If you are near the area: Run. Hide. Fight. If you are off campus, remain away.”
Within minutes, ESU posted a more detailed statement on its website, urging students and faculty to take immediate action. The message outlined standard “Run, Hide, Fight” protocols for active shooter situations:
- RUN: Evacuate quickly and cautiously if possible, moving away from the shooter’s location. Leave belongings behind, assist others if safe to do so, and do not stop until reaching a secure location. Call 911 once safe.
- HIDE: If escape is not possible, shelter in place out of the attacker’s view, preferably in a room with solid walls. Lock and barricade doors, silence cell phones, and remain quiet. Prepare a defense plan and await law enforcement instructions.
- FIGHT: As a last resort, defend yourself if your life is in immediate danger. Use available objects as improvised weapons, act with aggression, and coordinate with others if possible to overpower the assailant.
The advisory also provided instructions for when law enforcement arrives, urging individuals to remain calm, keep hands visible, and follow all commands without sudden movements.
Police and emergency responders were dispatched immediately to the scene. ESU stressed that individuals should not approach the area and instead report any suspicious activity directly to 911.
At this time, no additional details about the suspect, possible victims, or the circumstances surrounding the report have been released.
Authorities are continuing to investigate, and updates are expected through official ESU channels, including the university website and the RAVE alert system.
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.