In the wake of Ashlee Long’s tragic murder, her family has been vocal on social media, urging the public to assist in raising awareness and seeking justice. Just two weeks post-incident, authorities reported that the suspect, Kendrick Finch, voluntarily turned himself in to the police.

Background of the Incident

On a rainy night in Dallas, commemorative stickers honoring 28-year-old Ashlee Long adorned Main Street. The beloved realtor, visiting from the Richmond-Rosenberg area near Houston, was out with friends after leaving a downtown bar shortly after 2 a.m.

The harrowing details of the incident emerged from surveillance footage. A confrontation began when a man accompanying Long brushed against a passing Mercedes, prompting an aggressive response from the car’s passenger, identified later as Finch, who exited the vehicle brandishing a firearm.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, as Finch fired upon Long and her companion, the man managed to return fire. Unfortunately, Long sustained severe injuries and succumbed later at the hospital; her companion survived the attack.

Family Reflections and Community Response

Long’s family expressed their devastation and confusion upon learning the circumstances surrounding her death. They described Ashlee as a driven professional and a cherished friend and daughter.

“I’m still in a fog. I just feel like I’m in a daze every day,” said Long’s mother. “You’ve got Mother’s Day. You have Father’s Day. We don’t get to have that now,” she reflected, emphasizing the deep impact on their family life.

Long’s stepmother, Holly King, recounted a detective’s remark that the shooting could have been avoided if they had taken a different path moments earlier: “It was a random act. That is what is so sickening.”

In the days following her murder, community members joined Long’s family in their effort to keep her memory alive through social media campaigns, making use of poignant images and messages calling for accountability.

Arrest and Charges

Hours after the shooting, Finch contacted law enforcement, stating that he was a passenger in the Mercedes involved in the incident. However, he did not officially surrender until April 18, following public appeals for information regarding the shooting.

Finch, who has a prior criminal record including drug offenses and burglary, is currently being held in the Dallas County Jail with a bond set at $500,000.