Texas Nightclub Parking Lot Incident Leaves Two Dead in Early Morning Hours — What Police Found

A night out that should have ended with a drive home instead resulted in police tape and two families shattered before sunrise. The details of what happened in that parking lot are raising painful questions about the relationship behind the tragedy.

Ariana Herrera, 25, and Ja'Lavion Beaver, 26, were both found dead outside a popular party spot in Abilene, Texas, in the early hours of Sunday, May 3, 2026. And what happened between them had people rallying to raise awareness before the week was over.

Where Did This Happen?

Abilene is a mid-sized West Texas city, and on a Saturday night, Vybz nightclub in the 100 block of Eplens Court is the kind of place people go to unwind.

That weekend was no different, and at some point that evening, both Herrera and Beaver were there. Most would assume that they went to have some fun, dancing, and possibly drinking, but that's not exactly the case this time.

At around 2 a.m., everything turned into a nightmare. Calls came in reporting a shooting in the club's parking lot, and officers with the Abilene Police Department responded immediately.

What Did Authorities Find When They Arrived?

Responding officers found Herrera deceased inside her car, which was still parked in the club's lot. A short distance from the vehicle, Beaver, was also found dead from what police described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The scene pointed to something deeply personal. Two people who had once been close, ending up in the same parking lot on the same night, with no one walking away. That connection between them would move to the front of the investigation almost immediately.

Who Were These Two People to Each Other?

Abilene police confirmed that Herrera and Beaver had been in a romantic relationship, though the two were estranged by the time that Saturday night came around. Whatever brought them both to the same spot outside Vybz that evening, it did not end peacefully.

Evidence gathered at the scene led investigators to conclude that an argument broke out between the two in the parking lot. Beaver is accused of opening fire on Herrera while she sat inside her vehicle. He then turned the weapon on himself.

Who Was Ariana Herrera?

To the people in her life, Ariana was far more than a name in a police report. Her friend, Anaiya Jackson, took to Facebook on that same Sunday to share her grief publicly, describing a young woman full of warmth, humor, and real friendship.

"Lost at words man… we had so many adventures, so many laughs so many long conversations you will be missed sweet girl, you did not deserve this at all. Ariana Herrera. Prayers to your family [sic]," she wrote.

The following day, May 4, Anaiya and others organized a memorial gathering held in a parking lot, serving a dual purpose: honoring Ariana's memory and drawing attention to the issue of domestic violence.

The fact that her friends channeled their grief into action says something about the kind of person she was and the community she left behind.

How Is Her Family Coping?

Herrera left behind a young son named Princeton. Her sister, Alexandra Herrera, opened a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral costs and help the boy find footing in the weeks and months ahead.

"She was a light in our lives, kind, loving, and always there when anyone needed her. Her laughter could fill a room, and her heart was bigger than words can describe," Alexandra wrote, adding that the loss has left the family devastated and struggling with both the grief and the financial weight of an unexpected death.

As of publication, the campaign has pulled in over $19,000 of its $20,000 goal across 248 donations, a figure that speaks to just how many people felt compelled to show up for a family they may not have even known personally.

For those who cannot give, Alexandra asked for prayers and for people to share the campaign so it reaches anyone who might help.

As for what's next, the Abilene Police Department has said the investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been released. We offer our condolences to all those affected by this loss.

A similar tragedy occurred just a few weeks ago. Two people were killed in a double homicide in Pueblo, Colorado, in the early hours of April 4. The tragedy also claimed the life of a 19-year-old, though under deeply different circumstances.

What Happened in Pueblo Before Dawn?

Just after 1 a.m. that Saturday, Pueblo Police officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of E. 4th Street following reports of a shooting. ShotSpotter technology had already picked up multiple gunshot rounds before the 911 call even came in.

When officers reached the location, they found two people dead. One victim lay in the street while the other remained inside a vehicle. The scene was still fresh, and a suspect was unaccounted for.

As investigators worked to piece together what had happened, a separate alert came in from the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.

A man took his own life with a firearm in Pueblo West, and early evidence suggested he was the individual responsible for the double murder. The police department released this information just a few hours after the incident.

Who Were the Victims?

Later that day, the Pueblo County Coroner identified all three individuals involved in this incident.

The two homicide victims were Amanda Leigh Manion, 41, and Glenn Allen Beeman Jr., 40, her estranged ex-husband. The man who died by suicide in Pueblo West was identified as their son, Glenn Allen Beeman III, 19.

The incident marked Pueblo's fourth and fifth homicides of 2026, a grim milestone. By comparison, the city had recorded only two homicides at this point in 2025.

The investigation remains active, and authorities noted that details may shift as more evidence is gathered and reviewed.

Amanda's Brother Speaks Out

That evening, Amanda's brother Eric Manion broke the news publicly in a Facebook post addressed to family and friends. He opened by saying he was "deeply sorry if you are learning about this horrific tragedy on Facebook," acknowledging he hadn't been able to reach everyone personally.

Eric confirmed that Amanda, her estranged ex-husband Glenn Jr., and their son Glenn III had all passed away.

He also asked loved ones for patience, writing, "There is a lot of information we are still sorting through regarding this incident. While our family begins to grieve and comb through these events, we respectfully ask that you hold your questions until further notice."

What Did Amanda's Old Post Reveal?

As news of the tragedy spread, a post Amanda had shared just months earlier resurfaced, and it's almost too heartbreaking to read.

On January 28, she posted a collection of photos of her son, Glenn, spanning his childhood through adulthood, to celebrate his 19th birthday.

Her caption read:

"19 years of being a boy mom! The ups and downs and in-between! I hope you know what I mean when I say I love you always and forever. I am thankful for another trip around the sun with you! Praying for an amazing year full of blessings! Happy birthday Son."

The words "I love you always and forever," written by a mother who had no way of knowing they would be among her last public ones to her child, land much differently now.

Where Can People Help?

Unfortunately, Amanda left behind a few more kids who are now facing an unimaginable loss. A GoFundMe was set up by Sara Espinoza, with Eric's permission, to support them in the days and months ahead.

Sara described Amanda as "a beloved mother, sister, daughter, and friend to many," and said the fundraiser exists to provide the children with immediate needs, stability, and care going forward. As of publication, it had raised over $6,700 of its $10,000 goal from 56 donations.

Sara later updated the campaign with added transparency, explaining that she and her husband are cousins to both Amanda and Eric, and that Eric and his wife are already helping the children manage the logistics of nearly everything else.

She wrote, "My husband loved Mandy dearly and he and Eric were like a second set of siblings to him growing up." All funds will go directly to the children through a secured method, potentially a trust, once the family determines the best path forward.

Originally, the fundraiser was intended to help cover funeral costs, but Sara noted that a state victims fund may take care of that expense. She also confirmed that GoFundMe requested further verification to ensure no one was taking advantage of the situation, something Sara called "truly amazing" of them.

Every dollar raised will go to Amanda's children as they navigate a loss that no family should ever have to face. Still, nothing can bring back what was lost.