Woman killed in Texas shootout triggered by brush against Mercedes

The suspected killer of a Texas real estate agent was denied bond after he allegedly opened fire on her and another man who had briefly touched his Mercedes vehicle. 28-year-old Ashlee Long was leaving a local bar in Downtown Dallas on April 5 with a group of friends. Dallas police said one of the men Long was with “reached out and brushed his hand along the passenger side of a passing Mercedes as they were walking across the street.” Investigators said that’s when 34-year-old Kendrick Finch got out of the passenger side with a gun and opened fire.

Finch struck Long and the man she was with. The 28-year-old later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, while the other victim survived. Finch, who has a prior criminal history including drug charges and burglary, turned himself in to authorities and is currently charged with murder.

During a court appearance on Wednesday, May 7, Finch attempted to reduce his bond, but after hearing testimony from the prosecutors, the defense attorney, the lead detective in the case, and Finch’s mother, the judge decided to deny the bond reduction. Members of Long and Finch’s families were in attendance, and video of the shooting was shown during the hearing, capturing the moment the real estate agent was shot.

Henry Long, the father of the victim, released a statement mourning the death of his daughter and calling for Finch to stay in jail. “Ashlee’s life mattered. And so does justice,” Long wrote on Facebook. “Kendrick Finch must remain behind bars — permanently. He made the choice to kill. He should not be given the opportunity to walk free and make that choice again.”

Long expressed the indescribable pain of losing a child and emphasized that losing her to gun violence at the hands of a stranger is a trauma no family should have to endure. He stated that Finch’s choice to take her life not only ended her future but also shattered the lives of everyone who loved her.

The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of senseless acts of violence and the importance of seeking justice for victims. As the legal proceedings continue, Long’s family and loved ones are left to grapple with the loss of a cherished member of their community. The call for accountability and the demand for consequences for such heinous actions echo loudly, as they seek to honor Ashlee Long’s memory and ensure that her life is not forgotten.