A Georgia man fatally shot his ex-wife and her mother in the parking lot of an Augusta Best Buy shop on Sunday early evening, during a custody exchange for their 5-year-old child.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Melissa Cui Domingo, 37, and Elizabeth Cui Domingo, 74, both of Evans, died as a result of gunshot wounds.
According to the Richmond County Coroner's Office, they were pronounced dead at 6:47 p.m., twenty-five minutes after the suspect opened fire on them at 6.12 p.m.
The suspect, 37-year-old Hajir Talebzadeh, suffered an injury and was transported to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, where he is listed as stable. Upon his release from hospital, the suspect who was previously married to Melissa Cue Domingo will be transported to Charles B. Webster Detention Center on warrants for double murder, WRDW reported.
The tragedy comes less than a month after the suspect’s former wife being recently granted immunity after shooting her then abusive husband in self-defense in 2021 following complaints of ongoing domestic abuse according to the Augusta Press.
Ex wife’s use of force against former husband was protected
The killings occurred less than a month after a Richmond County judge dismissed all charges against Melissa Domingo in connection with Talebzadeh's 2021 shooting inside their house.
At the time, Superior Court Judge Jesse Stone decided that Melissa acted in self-defense following years of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. The court accepted expert testimony that Melissa had Battered Person Syndrome, PTSD, panic disorder, and Stockholm Syndrome. Several family members testified about Talebzadeh's violent and controlling behavior, indicating that they were afraid for her life the night she shot him.
Investigators also discovered that their home was stocked with unsecured, loaded firearms, and Talebzadeh was armed during the confrontation. Despite receiving many gunshot wounds, he survived the 2021 incident.
Judge Stone ultimately applied Georgia’s ‘transferred justification’ doctrine, ruling Melissa’s use of force was legally protected even if others were unintentionally endangered in the act of defending herself.
Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley provided a statement in the aftermath of Sunday’s tragedy.
‘Our hearts go out to the child who was present during this senseless tragedy. No child should ever have to experience such trauma. As a community, we must come together to support him and others who are affected. Violence is never the answer to our problems—it only leaves behind grief, pain, and broken families. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to working with our community to prevent violence and ensure safety for every resident.’
The couple’s child is now in the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services.
