On February 13, 2023, 39-year-old Tameeka Yshon Jackson was fatally shot while working at the Quick Track convenience store on Highway 80 in Midland County, Texas. Jackson, who was pregnant at the time, was approached by a masked individual wearing a camouflage hoodie and gray pants. The assailant, later identified as 24-year-old Israel Yanez II, entered the store, targeted Jackson, and shot her multiple times before fleeing on foot.
Emergency responders transported Jackson to Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Investigators quickly identified Yanez as a suspect, uncovering a tumultuous relationship between him and Jackson, marked by disputes over her pregnancy. Text messages retrieved from Jackson's phone revealed threatening communications from Yanez on the morning of the incident, including statements such as "Ima just wipe you off the map" and inquiries about her location. Later that day, the Odessa Police Department apprehended Yanez during a traffic stop on Kermit Highway. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, with bond set at $1 million.
Further investigation led to the arrest of 24-year-old Mariah Gonzalez Bordayo, Yanez's live-in girlfriend. Bordayo admitted to authorities that she had prior knowledge of Yanez's intent to kill Jackson and actively assisted in the planning and aftermath of the murder. She confessed to being present when Yanez acquired the firearm and ammunition, expressing her support by stating she was his "ride or die." Additionally, Bordayo provided Yanez with a change of clothes immediately after the murder and fabricated an alibi to conceal his involvement. She was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, with bond also set at $1 million.
Jackson's tragic death has left a profound impact on her family, including her five children. Loved ones have expressed their grief and disbelief over the loss, emphasizing the void left by her absence. Her eldest daughter, Jayla, shared the deep bond she had with her mother, stating, "I can't even go to sleep because I see her." Family members have rallied to support Jackson's children during this difficult time, and a GoFundMe account has been established to assist with funeral expenses and provide for the family's needs.
The Midland County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Jackson's death. Both Yanez and Bordayo remain in custody at the Midland County Detention Center, each held on a $1 million bond. The community mourns the loss of Jackson, remembering her as a caring mother and devoted friend whose life was tragically cut short.
