Augusta man denied bond after Best Buy custody exchange leaves two dead
In Augusta, Georgia, a devastating tragedy unfolded outside the Best Buy on Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway on the evening of September 7, 2025, when a custody exchange turned deadly. The victims, Melissa Cui Domingo, 41, and her mother, Elizabeth Cui Domingo, 74, were both found lifeless in the parking lot after an altercation involving Melissa’s ex-husband, Hajir Talebzadeh, 41.
Authorities say the shooting happened in full view of Talebzadeh’s young son, who was present for what was supposed to be a court-approved custody handoff between his parents. The boy witnessed the entire event, a factor that prosecutors have described as deeply traumatic and central to the charges against his father.
Location and Timeline of Events
The custody exchange had been arranged at the Best Buy parking lot—a public setting chosen to ensure safety during the handover. Investigators with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office say that during the exchange, tensions quickly escalated between Talebzadeh and Melissa. Moments later, gunfire erupted, leaving both Melissa and her mother, Elizabeth, fatally wounded.
Talebzadeh initially claimed that he acted in self-defense, alleging that Melissa had threatened him. However, an audio recording recovered from the scene—reportedly made on a device used to document the custody transfer—painted a very different picture. According to prosecutors, the audio captures the confrontation in detail and directly contradicts Talebzadeh’s story. It reportedly includes the sounds of the argument, the shots fired, and remarks made afterward that prosecutors say demonstrate clear intent.
Victims’ Background
Melissa Cui Domingo was well known in the Augusta community for her kindness and perseverance. She had recently been cleared of prior charges stemming from a 2021 domestic violence incident in which she shot Talebzadeh inside their shared home. A judge ruled just weeks before her death that Melissa acted in lawful self-defense, citing her diagnosis of Battered Person Syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder following years of alleged abuse.
Melissa’s mother, Elizabeth Cui Domingo, had accompanied her daughter that evening to the custody exchange to provide emotional support and ensure safety. Tragically, she was caught in the crossfire. Friends and family describe both women as deeply caring individuals devoted to their family, church, and community service.
The Suspect and Legal Proceedings
Hajir Talebzadeh was arrested at the scene shortly after the shooting and charged with two counts of murder and one count of cruelty to a child, the latter charge stemming from the fact that his son witnessed the violent encounter. At his first court appearance, prosecutors presented evidence from the audio recording and witness testimony, arguing that Talebzadeh’s actions were deliberate rather than defensive.
Judge Anthony Harris denied Talebzadeh’s bond request, citing both the seriousness of the charges and the risk he poses to public safety. Prosecutors also emphasized that Talebzadeh attempted to twist the story of what happened, contradicting key evidence from the scene.
Investigators further revealed that Talebzadeh had shown a pattern of controlling and aggressive behavior during past custody disputes, a factor that weighed heavily in the judge’s decision. His next court date is scheduled later this month, and he remains held without bond at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
Aftermath and Community Response
The killings have left the Augusta community shaken. Friends, neighbors, and advocacy groups have come forward to remember Melissa and Elizabeth as gentle, resilient women who fought to protect one another. Vigils have been held near the Best Buy parking lot where the tragedy occurred, with many residents calling for reforms in how custody exchanges involving domestic violence histories are handled.
The Domingo family has requested privacy as they grieve, while community members have established a fund to support Melissa’s young son, who is now in the care of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services.
As the case moves forward, prosecutors have stated that the audio recording, forensic evidence, and the child’s testimony will play pivotal roles in securing justice for Melissa and Elizabeth. The tragedy stands as a grim reminder of the hidden dangers in custody disputes that stem from domestic violence, and it has reignited local discussions about how victims can be better protected even after the courts acknowledge their past abuse.
For now, the Augusta community continues to mourn two women whose lives were tragically cut short in a place that was supposed to ensure safety, not sorrow.
