AUGUSTA, Ga. — A domestic violence case that drew statewide attention in recent years has taken another devastating turn. Authorities confirm that Melissa Cui Domingo, 37, and her mother, Elizabeth Cui Domingo, 74, were fatally shot Sunday evening outside the Best Buy on Walton Way Extension.
The alleged shooter has been identified as Melissa’s ex-husband, 37-year-old Hajir Talebzadeh. Investigators say the shooting occurred during a custody exchange involving the couple’s 5-year-old child, who was present at the scene but was not physically injured. The child is now in the care of the Department of Family and Children Services.
Deputies responded around 6:12 p.m. to reports of gunfire in the busy parking lot. Melissa and Elizabeth Domingo were found with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at 6:47 p.m. by Deputy Coroner John Rutland.
Talebzadeh, who was injured during the incident, was transported to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center in stable condition. He faces multiple murder charges and will be booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center following his release from the hospital.
The tragedy comes less than a month after a Richmond County judge dismissed charges against Melissa Domingo for a 2021 shooting in which she wounded Talebzadeh during a violent domestic confrontation. The court ruled she had acted in lawful self-defense after enduring years of abuse.
Sheriff Gino Brantley called the killings a “senseless tragedy” and emphasized the need for community support for the surviving child.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate.
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