22-Year-Old Woman Tragically Died on the Way from Party

What should have been a routine ride home after a night out with a friend ended in horror when their truck came under fire, leaving a community in mourning and demanding justice.

22-year-old American woman Isabel Ashanti Gómez, who had no ties to drug trafficking, died in Michoacán, Mexico, after unknowingly crossing paths with suspected cartel gunmen.

On Sunday, June 22, 2025, Isabel went to a local dance event in her hometown with her friend, 26-year-old Dánae. When the party ran late, her father, Valentín, offered to pick them up. Around midnight, he arrived in his Ford F-150 truck to take them home.

While driving along the Zitácuaro–Aputzio de Juárez highway, they came across what appeared to be a cartel roadblock. According to local reports, the checkpoint was allegedly set up by members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Fearing they would be detained or harmed, Isabel's father chose not to stop. However, this may have caused the gunmen to assume they were rival gang members.

Within seconds, the armed men opened fire on their truck. Isabel was shot and died at the scene. Her father and friend were both seriously injured and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Investigators believe the attack was carried out by a group led by William Edwin Rivera Padilla, known as "El Barbas," a regional lieutenant for the CJNG in that area.

Despite the severity of the case, no arrests have been made so far. Authorities continue to investigate while family, friends, and local residents demand justice and an end to the violence.

Isabel's death sparked widespread grief in her community, where many remembered her for her kindness, her bright smile, and her dedication to cultural promotion in the state.

Her civil partner, May Mendoza, took to Facebook to pay tribute, writing, "I will always carry you in my heart my beautiful girl."

Other tributes also poured in. One post shared on X read, "You pain me, Michoacán." It described how people in Aputzio de Juárez bid a heartfelt farewell to Isabel, affectionately known as "Chavelita." The post ended with, "May she rest in peace."

Another tribute shared online read, "It's so painful to say goodbye, but I carry you in my soul — with every smile and in every moment we shared together."

In another tragic case, a young woman from Pearl, Mississippi, also lost her life far too soon. 25-year-old Kianna Jackson was fatally shot on June 16, 2025, while in the drive-through lane of a McDonald's located on Stribling Lane. Authorities were still investigating the circumstances of the tragic incident at the time of writing.

According to Brandon Police Chief Joseph French, officers arrived at the restaurant where the shooting happened shortly before 7:00 p.m. However, they discovered that Kianna had died from an apparent gunshot wound.

The suspect, 27-year-old Jhonterryes Dampier, was also found at the scene with a gunshot wound that appeared to be self-inflicted. It was reported that Jhonterryes may have turned the gun on himself shortly after shooting the victim.

The injured suspect was rushed to a hospital to receive treatment but was later pronounced dead. Authorities said the incident appeared to be domestic in nature, though the specific relationship between Kianna and Jhonterryes was not publicly detailed.

Mayor Butch Lee issued a statement calling the shooting "a horrible incident." He also added, "It's even more tragic when a domestic situation like this happens in front of children."

Additionally, the owner and operator of the McDonald's location, O'Farrall Management Group, issued a statement in response to the incident. They stated, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims' family and loved ones. We're providing support to our restaurant employees and will continue to assist law enforcement with their ongoing investigation."

The Brandon police chief stated that the investigation was still ongoing and urged anyone with any information to step forward. He also emphasized that the incident seemed to be an isolated event and reassured the community that there was no threat to public safety at the time.

Kianna's death spurred an outpouring of support from the community. A GoFundMe campaign organized on behalf of her family raised more than $17,000 toward a $22,000 goal to help cover funeral expenses and provide for her surviving children.

The message on the fundraiser described her as "a cherished mother" and "a beloved daughter, sister and friend." The family was preparing for a memorial service scheduled for June 27, 2025.

According to the fundraiser, any remaining funds after covering burial expenses would be placed into a trust for Kianna's children, a five-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son. Her body was also transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy.