Crime
Melissa Cui Domingo and her mother Elizabeth Cui Domingo killed after shooting outside Best Buy in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. — A woman who was recently granted immunity after shooting her abusive husband in self-defense has now been killed—along with her mother—by that same man in what investigators are calling a domestic-related double homicide.
The victims have been identified as Melissa Cui Domingo, 37, and her mother, Elizabeth Cui Domingo, 74.
Both were fatally shot Sunday evening in the parking lot of Best Buy off Walton Way Extension in Augusta, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO).
The alleged shooter, 37-year-old Hajir Talebzadeh, Melissa’s ex-husband, was the man she shot in 2021 during a violent confrontation and accused of subjecting her to years of domestic abuse.
Authorities say the incident unfolded during a custody exchange involving the couple’s 5-year-old child, who was present during the shooting but was not physically harmed.
The child is now in the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services.
The first 911 calls were received around 6:12 p.m. Sunday, reporting gunfire at the busy retail complex. Deputies arrived within minutes and discovered Melissa and Elizabeth Domingo suffering from gunshot wounds.
Both were pronounced dead at 6:47 p.m. by Deputy Coroner John Rutland.
Talebzadeh was also found injured with a wound of unknown severity and was transported to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, where he is reported to be in stable condition. Investigators have obtained murder warrants, and he will be booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center upon release from the hospital.
The killings occurred less than a month after a Richmond County judge dismissed all charges against Melissa Domingo stemming from the 2021 shooting of Talebzadeh inside their home.
At that time, Superior Court Judge Jesse Stone ruled that Melissa acted in lawful self-defense after enduring years of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. The court accepted expert testimony that Melissa suffered from Battered Person Syndrome, PTSD, panic disorder, and Stockholm Syndrome. Multiple family members testified to Talebzadeh’s violent and controlling behavior, warning that they feared for her life the night she shot him.
Investigators also noted that their residence was filled with unsecured, loaded firearms and that Talebzadeh had been armed during the confrontation. Although he sustained multiple gunshot wounds, he survived the 2021 incident.
Judge Stone ultimately applied Georgia’s “transferred justification” doctrine, ruling Melissa’s use of force was legally protected even if others were unintentionally endangered in the act of defending herself.
Sheriff’s officials have emphasized that Sunday’s shooting was domestic in nature and does not pose a threat to the wider community.
“This was a senseless tragedy that unfolded in front of a child,” said RCSO Chief of Staff Lewis Blanchard. “Our hearts go out to everyone impacted, especially the child who will now grow up without both parents.”
Sheriff Gino Brantley also released a statement, saying:
“No child should ever have to experience such trauma. As a community, we must come together to support him and others who are affected. Violence is never the answer—it only leaves behind grief, pain, and broken families.”
The Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit provided aerial support during the emergency response, using thermal imaging to help secure the scene. Multiple local and state agencies assisted in the rapid deployment.
Talebzadeh is facing multiple counts of murder, and the investigation remains ongoing.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.