DALLAS, TX – A Houston family is grappling with the devastating loss of their daughter, Ashley Long, who was killed in a seemingly random act of violence in downtown Dallas. This tragic event has left the family hoping that their profound grief can inspire change and reduce violence in the city.
Michelle Long, Ashley’s mother, has been struggling to cope with the loss of her 28-year-old daughter, describing the feeling as being “dead inside.” Ashley, a successful real estate agent, had traveled to Dallas for a networking event on April 5. What was meant to be a productive trip tragically turned into a fatal encounter.
The incident unfolded when one of Ashley’s acquaintances inadvertently brushed his hand against a passing Mercedes while they were crossing a street. According to police reports, this seemingly innocuous action led to a deadly confrontation. Kendrick Finch, 34, exited the Mercedes with a firearm, escalating the situation.
In the chaos that ensued, the man accompanying Ashley retrieved a gun from her purse. Finch opened fire, striking both Ashley and her companion. While the man survived his injuries, Ashley succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds at the hospital.
Michelle Long recalls the moment she received the news, describing it as a nightmare from which she could not awaken. “If only she had been there five minutes earlier or later,” she lamented, reflecting on how differently the night might have ended.
Following an intense search, Finch turned himself in to authorities last Friday and now faces murder charges. As the legal process unfolds, Ashley’s family clings to her memory, placing her photograph and her cherished angel numbers, 444, at the site of her death.
Ashley was known for her vibrant spirit, often described as the life of the party, though she never sought the spotlight. Her family now yearns for one last opportunity to say goodbye, expressing their love and longing for her presence.