Augusta, GA

Double murder outside Augusta Best Buy: What we know

Published

6 months ago

September 9, 2025

Double murder outside Augusta Best Buy: What we know

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Family members and local residents are searching for answers after an apparent domestic dispute ended with the murder of a 37-year-old and her mother in an Augusta parking lot.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says 37-year-old Melissa Cui Domingo and 74-year-old Elizabeth Cui Domingo, both of Evans, died from gunshot wounds on Sunday evening.

A memorial stands at the scene in their honor. Saying, ‘forever in our hearts,’ ’You will forever be missed,’ ‘I love you’ and ‘Fly high, Mom.’

Memorial outside Augusta Best Buy honors mother and daughter who were murdered there last night.(WRDW)

Ever since the incident, social media has been flooded with posts, even outside of Augusta, wondering why and how this could have happened.

Melissa Domingo’s ex-husband is set to face charges for Sunday night’s double murder, which happened just days after she was cleared of charges for shooting the suspect three years ago in what a court found was self-defense.

In August, a judge granted Melissa Domingo immunity in the case after she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, battered person disorder and other problems from years of abuse and control.

The suspect, 37-year-old Hajir Talebzadeh, suffered in Sunday’s incident and was taken to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, where he is listed as stable.

The deadly shooting was reported at 6:12 p.m. Sunday outside the store on Walton Way Extension. The Domingos were pronounced dead at 6:47 p.m.

According to previous reports, Talebzadeh and Melissa Domingo were married but got divorced in November 2024, court records show.

37-year-old Hajir Talebzadeh, photo from 2018(Richmond County Sheriff’s Office)

Deputies responded to the scene within minutes of the first call.

While on the scene, they found the mother and daughter suffering gunshot wounds.

A young child, Melissa’s 6-year-old son, was present but not injured. Augusta Fire Department firefighters and deputies remained with him until child welfare workers arrived.

“Our hearts go out to the child who was present during this senseless tragedy,” Sheriff Eugene Brantley said in a statement. “No child should ever have to experience such trauma. As a community, we must come together to support him and others who are affected.”

Deputies responded to the shooting incident at the Best Buy shopping center off Walton Way extension.

“Based on witness statements and camera evidence, investigators have determined this was a domestic-related incident. Currently, there is no known threat to the public,” said Lewis Blanchard, chief deputy with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

It appeared to be custody exchange, but that’s not official.

Witnesses say the shooting occurred near the back of the parking lot.

Multiple police and unmarked cars responded to the scene, along with emergency medical crews.

Deputies responded to the shooting incident at the Best Buy shopping center off Walton Way extension.

Along with deputies, the Georgia State Patrol aviation unit also responded to the scene.

“Violence is never the answer to our problems—it only leaves behind grief, pain, and broken families,“ Brantley said. ”The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to working with our community to prevent violence and ensure safety for every resident.”

Once released from the hospital, Talebzadeh will be transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center. Deputies said warrants are being obtained on Talebzadeh for murder.

Family, friends and co-workers describe Melissa as a devoted mother, daughter and sister. And they describe Elizabeth as someone gentle, loving and devoted to her church.

In a statement, Belair Dental Associates, where Melissa worked, said:

“We are heartbroken to share that a tragic incident occurred outside of our office that claimed the lives of one of our team members and their mother. Our entire dental family is devastated by this loss, and our hearts go out to their loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time.”

On Facebook, they also said the loss has tremendously affected their team and their office will be temporarily closed, allowing those close to Melissa and Elizabeth to mourn this unexpected loss.

If you or someone you know is in danger, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

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Augusta, GA

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

Published

57 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – A year ago when Quinasia Abercrombie was a freshman, she let her work on the court do the talking as she became one of the top players in the Peach Belt Conference. Abercrombie didn’t have to be a vocal leader since the Jaguars had several upper classmen that handled that role. This year, her sophomore season, Abercrombie is still one of the best players around, but now has become the vocal leader of the team, something that didn’t come naturally.

“I’m just leading my team by voice now, not just leading by example,” Abercrombie said. “Since I don’t really talk, I think they (my teammates) were really surprised, but they’re listening.”

She leads the Augusta women in several offensive categories and has proven to be a major asset to the program.

From Greenville, S.C., Abercrombie was an all-state high school player. She gives part of that credit to her siblings, one older brother and three younger brothers. She had to scratch and claw on the basketball court with them and she’s the first to give them credit for helping make her the player she is today. Abercrombie went as fas as saying she enjoys playing against guys since they’ll push her hard to become better, and she likes the competition.

Now, she’s also being pushed by coach Celeste Stewart. So much so, it’s taking Abercrombie out of her comfort zone. But it’s all for the betterment of her.

“She’s put me in multiple, uncomfortable situations, like talking, being more verbal, and just putting me in positions I wouldn’t normally put myself in,” added Abercrombie.

With the Peach Belt Conference tournament up next for the Jaguars, Abercrombie thinks this team can find another gear and make a run. While she has elevated her game, she knows her teammates can do the same.

Even going forward as a player, Abercrombie knows there’s plenty of room for improvement. One of the most notable for her, her ball handling skills.

“I know I like to pick up my dribble a lot and give it to my point guards,” said Abercrombie. “But I know I can bring it down the court, I just need to work on my ball handling and just being confident handling the ball.”

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.

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Augusta, GA

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

Published

13 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.

Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.

USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.

On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.

In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.

This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall.

Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam.

The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.

Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.

Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.

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