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Melinda Hayes

Case from Winston-salem, NC dated Jul 17, 1988

Victim Details

Melinda Hayes

Female

Winston-salem

NC

1988-07-17

Melinda

Hayes

07/05/2026

Case Description

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Melinda Yvonne Hayes, a 21-year-old woman of unspecified ethnicity, tragically lost her life on July 17, 1988, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was one of four victims killed in a mass shooting carried out by Michael Charles Hayes. Hayes, who was 24 years old at the time, claimed he believed he was killing demons. The incident took place outside a moped shop owned by Hayes' stepfather.

Hayes shot nine people with a .22-caliber rifle, resulting in four fatalities and five injuries. Th ...
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Links to Additional Sources (5)

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  • Old Salisbury Road shooting - Wikipedia
  • Three victims buried amid criticism of authorities - UPI Archives
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    Forum Posts (2)

    I've been reading more about the response by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Department during the trag... ...Read More
    03/19/2024
    I’ve been thinking a lot about the impact on families when tragedies like the one involving Melind... ...Read More
    01/11/2023
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