A custody encounter outside a Best Buy in Augusta ended in two fatal shootings when a man opened fire on his ex-wife and her mother, shattering a community.
At a Glance
- A custody exchange turned deadly outside Best Buy in Augusta, Georgia, on Sunday evening, September 7, 2025.
- Victims: 37-year-old Melissa Cui Domingo and her mother, Elizabeth Cui Domingo, reported to be in her late seventies.
- The shooter: Melissa’s ex-husband, Hajir Talebzadeh, had a history of abuse allegations and recent court battles.
- Melissa was granted immunity for a 2021 shooting of Talebzadeh after a court accepted her self-defense claim.
- A young child witnessed the killings and was placed into state protective care.
The Incident
Deputies rushed to the Best Buy parking area on Walton Way Extension at about 6:12 p.m. on Sunday, September 7. They found Melissa and Elizabeth suffering gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at 6:47 p.m. by the coroner.
Watch now: Two dead after shooting in Augusta Best Buy parking lot
The ex-husband, Talebzadeh, was injured, taken to Wellstar MCG Health, and later booked on two counts of murder and first-degree cruelty to children.
A Tormented Past
Court documents reveal extensive psychological and physical abuse by Talebzadeh. He controlled texts, emails, and behavior, a pattern the court described as “manipulating behavior.” Witnesses reported bruises and unsecured firearms in the home.
In late August, Melissa received immunity for the 2021 shooting of him. Diagnoses included PTSD, battered person syndrome, Stockholm syndrome, and panic disorder. The court accepted her claim of self-defense as valid.
That ruling shielded her from prosecution, but the custody arrangement forced ongoing contact. Tensions remained high even as the court’s findings confirmed a history of abuse.
The Fallout
The child, the couple’s young son, was physically uninjured but left traumatized. Authorities transferred him to Georgia’s child welfare agency. Law enforcement said the incident was domestic-related, with no wider threat to public safety.
A memorial now stands at the scene, with messages like “Fly high, Mom.” Neighbors and community members gathered to pay respects as investigators processed evidence.
Advocates warn the case underscores the risks of custody exchanges when domestic abuse histories are present. They argue that legal rulings may not end cycles of violence.
