Crime
Luciano Frattolin arrested after his 9-year-old daughter Melina Frattolin found dead in Ticonderoga
Essex County, NY – A tragic case that began with an Amber Alert over the weekend has ended with the arrest of a Canadian man following the discovery of his 9-year-old daughter’s body in upstate New York.
Authorities have confirmed that Luciano Frattolin, the father of Melina Galanis Frattolin, has been taken into custody and is being held at the Essex County Jail.
Melina, who had been reported missing by her father late Saturday evening, was found deceased on Sunday approximately 35 miles from the area where she was initially reported missing.
The case was initially treated as a suspected abduction after Frattolin contacted authorities around 10 p.m. Saturday claiming his daughter had been kidnapped.
Law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and Canada launched an urgent search, issuing a regional Amber Alert and focusing attention on the Lake George and Ticonderoga areas of New York.
Melina was first believed to have last been seen around 7:40 p.m. traveling in a white van on Interstate 87 southbound near Exit 22. That time was later updated to 9:40 p.m. as the investigation progressed. Authorities said the girl was considered to be in “imminent danger” at the time.
However, as the investigation continued, New York State Police identified multiple inconsistencies in Frattolin’s statements and timeline.
By Sunday, officials stated there was “no indication that an abduction had occurred” and assured the public that there was “no threat to the community.”
Melina’s body was located later that day, ending the search under devastating circumstances.
According to publicly available information, Frattolin is a Montreal-based entrepreneur and the founder of Gambella Coffee.
His company’s biography and other personal writings painted a picture of a devoted father.
Melina was described in online profiles as “the light of his life,” with Frattolin often highlighting his daughter’s importance in shaping his worldview and inspiring his advocacy for social justice.
A now-poignant excerpt from his biography reads:
“Luciano currently spends as much time as he can in Montreal, Canada, with his beautiful daughter Melina. As the light of his life, she is the inspiration for… everything. His pursuits for building a more equitable and just world are deeply guided by his determination that she will not have to endure the same social injustices that he encountered throughout his childhood.”
Frattolin, described as the son of an Ethiopian mother and Italian father, claimed to draw strength and purpose from his cross-cultural upbringing, which he said was the foundation for his personal and professional ethos.
As of now, authorities have not released the specific charges Frattolin is facing in connection to Melina’s death.
The case remains under active investigation, and further details, including cause of death, are expected to be released pending autopsy results and prosecutorial decisions.
Crime
Leanne Selman, 41, Killed in Tampa Citibank Campus Shooting; Security Employee John Fraley Stops Armed Suspect
TAMPA, Fla. — A tragic shooting at the Citibank campus in Tampa, Florida, on November 4, 2026, claimed the life of 41-year-old Leanne Selman and left employees and witnesses shaken. What began as an ordinary workday quickly turned into a frightening emergency when gunfire erupted at the workplace.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office identified Selman as the victim. Her death has brought profound sorrow to her family, friends, colleagues, and everyone affected by the incident. She was at work when the shooting occurred, and her life was tragically cut short.
According to the information provided by authorities, the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Jacob Pearson, had reportedly threatened earlier that morning to bring a rifle to the Citibank campus.
Citibank notified the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office shortly before noon. However, at approximately 12:11 p.m., the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally shooting Selman.
The incident prompted an urgent response as law enforcement and security personnel worked to stop the threat and protect those on campus.
Amid the chaos, a Citibank security employee intervened, bringing the shooting to an end.
Authorities identified the employee as 38-year-old John Fraley, who serves as a vice president and intelligence lead analyst at Citibank. According to the sheriff’s office, Fraley confronted the armed suspect and shot him, stopping the immediate threat.
Pearson was transported to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister publicly praised Fraley’s actions, describing him as a hero. The sheriff said Fraley confronted the suspect and stopped the danger within minutes of the first shots being fired.
The scale of the emergency was especially concerning because more than 3,200 people were reportedly on the Citibank campus that day.
The sheriff credited Fraley’s intervention, along with the preparation and training of the Citibank security team, for helping prevent further loss of life. His actions came during an extremely dangerous situation in which many employees and others on the property were at risk.
While the tragedy resulted in the loss of one life, the intervention brought the immediate attack to an end and helped protect those who were still on campus.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the life lost and the people left grieving.
Leanne Selman, 41, should have returned home after an ordinary day at work. Instead, her family, friends, and co-workers are facing the heartbreak of losing someone whose life ended in a sudden act of violence.
The incident also left a lasting impact on those who witnessed the shooting or experienced the emergency firsthand.
Our deepest condolences go out to Leanne Selman’s loved ones, colleagues, and everyone affected by this tragedy. May they find strength and support as they navigate this difficult time.
May Leanne Selman be remembered with love, dignity, and compassion, and may all those affected find comfort and healing.