On the evening of July 10, 2023, 37-year-old Paola Núñez Linares, a Hispanic woman originally from Guatemala, was fatally shot in a suspected road rage incident in Hurst, Texas. At approximately 9:15 p.m., while traveling northbound on East Loop 820 with her husband, Zane Jones, their vehicle was involved in an altercation with another driver. According to Jones, after he made a hand gesture toward the aggressive driver, the individual fired multiple shots into their minivan, striking Paola in the head. She was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 2 a.m. on July 11.
Paola was known for her vibrant personality and diverse talents. She was a trained chef and photographer, with a passion for capturing images of the beach and surfers. Having recently obtained her driver's license and green card, she was excited about her future in the United States. Paola had married Zane Jones in January 2022 and embraced her role as a stepmother to his four children. Her family and friends remember her as a kind, compassionate, and determined individual who brought light into the lives of those around her.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Hurst Police Department described the suspect's vehicle as a small, dark-colored, older model car. Despite ongoing investigations, no arrests have been made. To aid in the search for the perpetrator, Paola's family established a Facebook page titled "My Name Was Paola" and offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. This reward was later increased to $20,000 with a contribution from The Noteboom Law Firm. The family hopes that increased public awareness and the reward will encourage anyone with information to come forward and assist in bringing justice for Paola.
