AUGUSTA, Ga. — A domestic violence case that has gripped Georgia in recent years ended in unimaginable tragedy Sunday evening when Melissa Cui Domingo, 37, and her mother, Elizabeth Cui Domingo, 74, were fatally shot in a Best Buy parking lot on Walton Way Extension.
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Authorities have identified the alleged shooter 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 witnessed the violence but was not physically harmed. The child has since been placed in the care of the Department of Family and Children Services.
Deadly Shooting in Public Parking Lot
Deputies were dispatched around 6:12 p.m. after reports of gunfire outside the electronics store. Responders found both Melissa and Elizabeth Domingo suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, the two women were pronounced dead at 6:47 p.m. by Deputy Coroner John Rutland.
Talebzadeh, who sustained injuries during the incident, was transported to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, where he remains in stable condition. Authorities confirmed he faces multiple counts of murder and will be booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center once he is released from the hospital.
Troubled History of Violence
The tragedy comes just weeks after a Richmond County judge dismissed charges against Melissa Domingo stemming from a 2021 shooting in which she wounded Talebzadeh during a violent confrontation. The court ruled that she acted in lawful self-defense after enduring years of domestic abuse.
Sunday’s fatal encounter underscores the ongoing dangers survivors of domestic violence face, even after leaving abusive relationships.
Community Response
Richmond County Sheriff Gino Brantley described the killings as a “senseless tragedy” and urged the community to rally around the surviving child.
“This is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating consequences domestic violence can have—not only on victims but on entire families,” Brantley said.
Advocates say the child, now left without both parents, will need long-term emotional support as the community grapples with the loss.
Ongoing Investigation
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including how Talebzadeh came to be armed during the custody exchange. Authorities are also reviewing safety procedures for court-ordered custody handoffs in public spaces.
As the community mourns Melissa and Elizabeth Domingo, friends and family are left to remember two lives cut short—and to advocate for greater protections for survivors of domestic violence.