Crime
18-year-old Ashley Dominguez killed after shooting outside Hunnii Pot Bar & Lounge in Nashville
An early morning shooting outside an after-hours club in South Nashville left one teenager dead and two others injured on Sunday.
Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) reported that the incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. outside the Hunnii Pot Bar & Lounge on Murfreesboro Pike.
The victim, identified as 18-year-old Ashley Dominguez, was in the back seat of a car when the shooting broke out.
According to witnesses, a heated argument unfolded among a group of individuals in the club’s parking lot. The dispute quickly escalated, leading to gunfire directed at a vehicle filled with multiple passengers.
The driver of the targeted vehicle attempted to flee the scene but stopped shortly afterward upon realizing that several passengers had been struck by gunfire.
Emergency responders transported Dominguez and two 19-year-old passengers to a local hospital.
While the two 19-year-olds were treated for their injuries and released, Dominguez succumbed to her wounds despite medical efforts.
The MNPD continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and is working to identify the suspect(s) involved. Police are urging witnesses or anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Tips can remain anonymous.
This tragic incident underscores the growing concern over violence in social settings, and authorities are asking for community cooperation to bring justice to the victim and her family.
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.