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Melinda Yvonne Hayes

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

Victim Details

Melinda Yvonne Hayes

Female

Winston-salem

NC

1988-07-17

21

Melinda

Yvonne Hayes

07/08/2026

Case Description

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Melinda Yvonne Hayes, a 21-year-old woman from Winston-Salem, NC, tragically lost her life on July 17, 1988. She was one of four victims killed in a mass shooting outside a moped shop owned by her stepfather. The incident began around 11:00 p.m. when Michael Charles Hayes, a 24-year-old man, opened fire with a .22 caliber rifle. Hayes claimed he believed he was killing demons.

Hayes shot nine people in total, killing four of them, including Melinda Hayes, Crystal Cantrell , Thomas Walter ...
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Links to Additional Sources (4)

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  • Report: at least 1 victim could have been saved - UPI Archives
  • Four Motorists Are Shot to Death, Gunman Wounded, in 12 Minutes
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    Forum Posts (3)

    I recently stumbled upon the tragic case of Melinda Yvonne Hayes, and I can't stop thinking about ho... ...Read More
    01/30/2025
    Does anyone else feel a deep sense of frustration about how this case was handled? I’ve been readi... ...Read More
    12/18/2024
    I’ve been thinking a lot about the response times of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Department on th... ...Read More
    04/30/2023
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