Crime
Woman found shot dead at the intersection of 161 and Jamison in Pulaski County
Natasha Trupka, 40, was taken into custody following a shooting
UPDATE: The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman in connection with a homicide that occurred on September 28th.
Natasha Trupka, 40, was taken into custody following a shooting at the intersection of Highway 161 and Jamison in North Little Rock.
The victim, whose identity has not been released, was found deceased at the scene.
Trupka is charged with Capital Murder and is currently being held at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Pulaski County Sheriff’s deputies are currently investigating a homicide that occurred at the intersection of 161 and Jamison.
Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered a deceased female with a gunshot wound.
A white Audi S5 with the Arkansas license plate APT 34M was seen fleeing the area.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office at 501-340-6963. The Criminal Investigation Division is handling the investigation.
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.