Georgia Woman and Mother Shot Dead in Front of 5-Year-Old Child During Custody Exchange
AUGUSTA, Ga. — A custody exchange in a Best Buy parking lot turned tragic when a Georgia woman and her mother were gunned down in front of a 5-year-old child, authorities confirmed.
The victims, Melissa Cui Domingo, 41, and her mother Elizabeth Cui Domingo, 74, were found dead at the scene on Sunday, September 7, 2025, after suffering multiple fatal gunshot wounds. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has classified the case as a domestic-related double homicide.
Ex-Husband Arrested and Charged
Melissa’s ex-husband, Hajir Talebzadeh, was taken into custody and now faces two counts of murder and one count of first-degree cruelty to children, according to officials. The charges stem from the fact that the couple’s 5-year-old child was present during the shootings but was not physically injured.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Chief Lewis Blanchard said in a statement:
“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.”
Child Witnessed the Killings
The couple’s 5-year-old child witnessed the murders. Sheriff Gino Brantley addressed the trauma of the incident:
“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.”
911 Call and Suspect’s Claims
Authorities said Talebzadeh himself called 911 at 6:12 p.m., telling dispatchers that he had shot his ex-wife. In the recorded call obtained by WRDW, he claimed he acted in self-defense.
“I feared for my life. My ex-wife opened fire,” Talebzadeh said.
He reportedly sustained an unspecified injury during the incident and was transported to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center in Augusta before being released and booked into the Richmond County Jail.
Past Violence Between the Couple
The shooting occurred less than a month after a Richmond County judge cleared Melissa in connection with a 2021 shooting at the couple’s former home.
Judge Jesse Stone dismissed all charges against Melissa in August 2025, ruling that she had acted in self-defense when she shot her husband multiple times after enduring physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
Court testimony from experts diagnosed Melissa with PTSD, Battered Person Syndrome, and a panic disorder, supporting her claim of self-defense. Melissa’s brothers and other witnesses also testified that she had feared for her life the night of the 2021 shooting. Evidence at the scene indicated that Talebzadeh had been holding a gun when Melissa fired.
Talebzadeh survived that shooting despite suffering at least one gunshot wound to the head, according to reports. The couple finalized their divorce in November 2024.
Remembering the Victims
Melissa, remembered as a devoted mother, was employed at Belair Dental Associates in Augusta. Following her death, the office released a statement:
“Our entire dental family is devastated by this loss, and our hearts go out to their loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time.”
Her mother, Elizabeth Cui Domingo, was remembered by community members as a gentle woman deeply committed to her church.
The case has left Augusta shaken, with authorities emphasizing the devastating impact of domestic violence and the urgent need for community support for survivors and children left behind. For more updates on this case and other Georgia news, stay with ChicagoMusicGuide.com.