Crime
18-year-old Tyler Bathke arrested after a threat led to an East High School lockdown
UPDATE: Last week, Cheyenne Police Officers began an investigation into a threat that occurred at East High School located at 2800 East Pershing Boulevard.
On Tuesday, the wanted subject, Tyler Bathke, 18, of Cheyenne, turned himself in on a felony warrant.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
On Thursday, September 26 at approximately 1:18 p.m., a School Resource Officer (SRO) at East High received a report that a male student, later identified as Bathke, was carrying a gun in his waistband and made several concerning statements to other students – one of which indicated that a school shooting was going to occur.
SROs and school administrators met immediately to assess the potential threat.
Within minutes, East High was placed into a lockdown and the nearby Carey Jr. High School was placed into a secure perimeter.
Additional officers were called to the scene and quickly located Bathke.
Following a sweep of the school and surrounding areas, it was determined that there was no evidence of a gun in his possession, but officers did verify that threatening statements were made.
Due to the disruptive nature of this incident and mass panic created within the schools, officers applied for an arrest warrant for Bathke the following day.
On Tuesday, October 1, Bathke turned himself into the Laramie County Jail.
He was arrested and booked without incident on a felony charge of making terroristic threats.
“School threats carry very real consequences,” said Chief Mark Francisco. “This incident caused unnecessary fear, panic, and disruption in our community and placed a burden on school and police resources. We will always take violent threats seriously and will continue to work closely with our partners in education.”
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Students play an essential role in reporting information to authorities. Social media threats or concerning statements should always be reported to an SRO or submitted through the Safe-2-Tell Hotline (844-996-7233) (844-WYO-SAFE).
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.