Crime
Mohammad Sahariar Islam killed in shooting outside The Ramada Inn in Fairfield
The gunman responsible for the shooting fled the scene.
The shooting at the Ramada Inn in Fairfield, New Jersey, has left one person dead and another injured. The incident occurred on Friday around 12:30 p.m., prompting a response from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force.
Two people were shot within the hotel, with one victim fatally wounded.
Victim has been identified as Mohammad Sahariar Islam.
The injured victim was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.
The gunman responsible for the shooting fled the scene, and authorities are actively pursuing leads to apprehend them.
Despite the incident, officials have assured the community that there is no ongoing threat. The victims were reportedly employees of the Ramada Inn, although their relationship and connection to the gunman remain unclear.
The hotel property has been cordoned off, and guests are currently unable to access their rooms.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing yelling from within the hotel but were unsure of the specific location.
A local resident expressed concern about the safety of the area, citing the hotel’s proximity to Route 80 and its history of police involvement.
However, they acknowledged the prompt response and efforts of the Fairfield police department.
Further details regarding the shooting and the investigation are pending release.
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.