On March 14, 2024, 22-year-old Ariel Brecole Marie Cade was fatally shot in Lubbock, Texas. The incident occurred around 1:45 p.m. in the 1300 block of 65th Drive, where investigators from the Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Center were conducting surveillance for an unrelated case. According to reports, TAG investigators observed Ariel and her former boyfriend, 21-year-old Mauriece Hendrix, exit an apartment together.
An argument ensued, during which Hendrix produced a firearm and shot Ariel in the head.
Following the shooting, Hendrix fled the scene on foot. TAG investigators immediately called for assistance and pursued him. With the aid of a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter, Hendrix was apprehended near 58th Street and Avenue P after a brief chase. Ariel was transported to University Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries later that evening.
Hendrix was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft of a firearm, evading arrest, and an outstanding warrant for aggravated robbery. He was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center with bonds totaling $585,000. Subsequent investigations revealed that Hendrix had been involved in a robbery at a Valero gas station on March 10, 2024, just days before the shooting. His fingerprints were found on the cash register at the scene, linking him to the crime.
Ariel's death was a tragic loss for her family and the Lubbock community. Born on November 25, 2001, in Mesquite, Texas, she graduated from Estacado High School in 2020 and was employed by Calab, Inc. for two years. Ariel was a devoted mother to her young son, Leighton Williams, and was known for her dedication to family and friends. Her funeral service was held on March 22, 2024, at the Church of the Blessed International, followed by interment at the City of Lubbock Cemetery.
In the wake of her passing, a GoFundMe campaign titled "Raising Leighton- Ariel Cade’s funeral" was established to support her three-year-old son, Leighton. The campaign aimed to provide for his care and future needs, acknowledging the long journey ahead for the family.
The Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Ariel's death. Hendrix's prior criminal activities and the events leading up to the shooting remain under scrutiny as the legal process unfolds.
