Ashlee Long, a 28-year-old woman from Houston, Texas, was fatally shot in downtown Dallas on April 5, 2025. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. in the 1800 block of Main Street. Long, who was visiting Dallas at the time, was accompanied by a male companion when the two were crossing the street. According to police reports, the male companion brushed his hand against a passing Mercedes, which led to an altercation between the occupants of the vehicle and Long’s group.
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed that a man, later identified as 34-year-old Kendrick Finch, exited the passenger side of the Mercedes with a firearm and opened fire. Long was struck by gunfire and transported to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Another man, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was also injured in the shooting.
Authorities launched an investigation into the incident, and Finch was identified as the primary suspect. Hours after the shooting, Finch contacted the police and confirmed that he was the passenger in the Mercedes. He also provided additional details about the event that had not been publicly released. On April 17, Dallas police announced that Finch was wanted in connection with the shooting and requested assistance from the public in locating him. The following day, Finch turned himself in to law enforcement and was subsequently charged with murder.
During a bond hearing held on May 7, Finch’s attorneys sought a reduction in his bond, which had been set at $500,000. Prosecutors argued against the reduction, stating that Finch was the first to present a firearm and initiate the shooting. They emphasized that Finch fired his weapon at least eight times in a crowded area, endangering multiple individuals. Finch’s defense team contended that the shooting may have been an act of self-defense, suggesting that Long’s male companion had also fired a weapon during the altercation. The judge ultimately denied the request for a bond reduction, and Finch remains in custody as he awaits trial.
Long, who worked as a real estate agent in the Houston area, was remembered by family and friends as a kind and loving individual. Her funeral service was held on April 14, 2025, at River Pointe Church in Richmond, Texas. She is survived by her parents, fiancé, siblings, and extended family members. Her tragic death has left a profound impact on those who knew her, and the legal proceedings surrounding the case continue to unfold.
