Gloria Zamora, 40-Year-Old Influencer & Mom of 7, Died with Her Date in Fontana, CA

The fitness coach had dedicated her time to encouraging women to reclaim their strength, but she was sadly gunned down in a parking lot while trying to rebuild her own life.

A Saturday night dinner outing ended in tragedy after a 40-year-old woman and her companion were gunned down in the parking lot of a shopping plaza on Summit Avenue in Fontana, California. Both victims later died from their injuries.

According to the Fontana Police Department, officers arrived at the shopping center around 9:30 p.m. on June 21 following reports of a shooting. Authorities found two victims, Gloria Zamora and Hector Garduno, both critically wounded in front of a sushi restaurant.

Investigators believe Zamora and Garduno were ambushed by Zamora's estranged husband, who had somehow discovered her whereabouts. The suspect, 45-year-old Thomas Alberto Tamayo Lizarraga, was then shot and killed by an off-duty sheriff's deputy who heard the gunfire and responded immediately.

"We don't know how he knew where she was at," said Officer Steve Reed, "but apparently, she had been at the restaurant for approximately an hour prior to the shooting."

The identity of the deputy who shot the murder suspect has not been released. Officials say that they are still working to determine how Lizarraga located Zamora that night.

Zamora was a public figure whose online presence focused on self-worth and health. In a recent podcast appearance, she shared that she dealt with a lot of mental pressure as her marriage to Lizarraga broke down.

"My whole second marriage started falling apart because, obviously, I'm like dedicating time into fitness and trying to grow something," she said during Episode 19 of the Herizon podcast. "People started getting insecure and not allowing me to thrive... So I felt like that person was just holding me back, and, you know, I decided to end my second marriage."

Zamora leaves behind seven children ranging in age from 8 to 24. Her daughter, Jazlynne, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral costs and support her siblings. They have raised more than $32,000.

"My mom was more than just a mother — she was a light in her community," Jazlynne wrote. "She uplifted and inspired countless women, reminding them of their worth, their strength, and their potential."

Garduno, 43, was described by family members as a devoted father of four girls. A separate GoFundMe campaign launched in his honor raised over $9,000 as of June 25.

"He lived life with strength and did everything he could for his four daughters and family," his relatives wrote. "His passing has left a hole in our hearts and a void in our lives that can never be filled."

Both fundraisers remain active. Another tragic shooting incident involving a teenager has also made the news recently.

Gwendolyn Smith, a recent high school graduate, was found dead inside her stepfather's home in Bedford Township, leaving a community in shock. As investigators work to piece together what happened, the motive remains unclear.

Authorities say 33-year-old Ryne Leist entered the home on W. Sterns Road on June 14 and shot Smith multiple times before taking his own life. "At this time, the point of entry and access remains under investigation," Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said.

Monroe County Sheriff Office also recently confirmed in a press release, "The coroner has ruled the death of Gwendolyn Smith as a homicide. The cause of death for Ryne Leist has been ruled as suicide. The manner of death for both individuals were gunshot wounds."

Smith, a 2025 graduate of Bedford High School, was part of a club bowling team Leist coached. Although initial reports suggested he wasn't affiliated with Bedford Public Schools, Goodnough later clarified that Leist did serve as a coach for the club team, though he was not a paid employee of the district.

A photo of Leist with the team appeared in the 2024–2025 school yearbook, confirming his involvement. Leist was previously employed at Forestview Lanes in Temperance, where he was paid for his coaching role.

Authorities believe he resigned from the bowling alley a short time before the shooting, but an exact timeline or reason for his departure remains unclear.

Investigators are also looking into a communication between Leist and Smith that took place five days before the incident.

Goodnough did not disclose the nature of that exchange and said the length of their relationship remains unknown. However, he emphasized, "Gwendolyn did not consider the relation between the two of them to be romantic."

Goodnough emphasized that the murder-suicide is not connected to a separate incident in Raisin Township involving two teenagers found dead from gunshot wounds.

He praised his team for their work during what he described as a very difficult period and assured the public that there is no ongoing threat.

The sheriff noted that Bedford Local Schools have activated their crisis management team to support students affected by Smith's death. Community members in need of additional resources are encouraged to contact central dispatch for assistance.

Meanwhile, Smith's father, Matt Kennerson, offered a heartbreaking glimpse into her life through a collection of personal photos — each one a reminder of the light she carried. In some, she wore face paint and a carefree smile; in others, she laughed beside him, full of life and joy.

There were pictures from her high school graduation and sweet childhood moments, including one where she grinned proudly, her front teeth missing.

The pain in Kennerson's tribute was palpable — his deep sorrow, guilt, and enduring love pouring through his words as he mourned a daughter he adored and couldn't protect.

Bedford School Superintendent Carl Shultz has also organized a GoFundMe campaign for Smith, which by the time of publication has raised $20,902 of its $22,000 goal, with the community rallying to honor a life taken far too soon.

He said he felt a deep responsibility to support Smith's family, "and make sure they had the resources necessary to be able to take care of what they needed to due to this horrible tragedy."

As both a parent and an educator, Shultz was deeply moved by the family's pain. "They're extremely strong and they're doing everything they can to hold everything together, but I was just trying to help out as much as I could," he noted.

Shultz also added, "This tragic and unnecessary loss cannot be explained. It has shaken our entire Bedford community, and our hearts and prayers go out to Gwen's family and the many friends whose lives she touched so deeply."

Shultz also paid tribute to Smith as an extraordinary young woman whose presence left a lasting impression on the school community.

In a message shared after her death, he spoke of the deep sorrow surrounding her loss, highlighting the kindness, energy, and joy Smith brought to everyone around her.

Her stepmother, Heather Smith, also shared the family's heartbreak in a post that captured the depth of their grief. She described Smith as a kind and talented young woman, cherished by many, and expressed the unimaginable pain of losing a child.

Referring to Smith as her middle daughter and her baby, she conveyed how deeply the loss has shattered those who loved her most.

Smith is remembered for the lasting impact she had on those around her. She stood out not only for her academic excellence but also for her artistic talents and athletic achievements — shining in the school's music programs and making her mark on the bowling team.

Above all, Smith is being celebrated for her kindness, her radiant spirit, and the happiness she brought to others. Her sudden and senseless death has left the Bedford community heartbroken, struggling to make sense of a loss that defies explanation.

In the wake of the tragedy, the outpouring of support reflects the deep love and admiration so many felt for her, as well as the strength of a community united in grief and remembrance.