Crime
Anthony White Jr arrested for the murder in shooting death of 20-year-old Rhemidee Iyeshala Barnes in Woodbridge
On the evening of November 27, at approximately 8:50 PM, officers responded to a reported domestic dispute in the 13500 block of Delaney Road in Woodbridge, Virginia.
The initial 911 call reported a domestic altercation involving family members and mentioned hearing gunshots as the caller left the residence.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers encountered a man attempting to leave the residence.
He was later identified as 20-year-old Anthony White Jr. and was detained without incident.
When officers entered the home, they discovered a woman, later identified as 20-year-old Rhemidee Iyeshala Barnes, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body.
Officers immediately rendered aid until emergency medical personnel transported Barnes to a nearby hospital. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
The investigation determined that the incident began as a physical altercation between White and Barnes, which escalated when White retrieved a firearm and shot Barnes.
Following the investigation, White was arrested and charged.
Arrest Information:
- Suspect: Anthony White Jr., 20, of 13515 Delaney Road, Woodbridge
- Charges: Second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and domestic assault and battery
- Bond: Held without bond
- Court Date: Pending
Victim Identified: The victim has been identified as Rhemidee Iyeshala Barnes, 20, of Woodbridge.
This case remains under 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.