‘She actually was my savior’: Fiance of woman killed in Fort Worth July 4 shooting speaks
A Fort Worth makeup artist was among the victims killed in two separate shootings in the city on the Fourth of July, the woman’s fiance said in an interview with the Star-Telegram on Friday.
Tasha Hymond, 39, and her fiance, Tommy Howard, were celebrating the holiday at the home of his parents when gunfire broke out Thursday night on Castleman Street, Howard said.
Howard described Hymond as one of the best makeup artists in the city, saying she was loved by her over 1,000 clients throughout Fort Worth.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved owner Latasha,” Hymond’s business, Slay by Shae, said in a statement, adding that the business is temporarily closed.
After his previous fiancee died of cancer four years ago, Howard said, Hymond helped him get through a lot.
Tributes to Hymond poured in on social media throughout Friday.
“Rest in paradise to my baby,” Howard wrote alongside a picture of the two.
According to police, the shooting started after a crowd of 200 to 300 people took over multiple blocks on Castleman Street, including some who shot fireworks at neighboring houses.
Hymond had been livestreaming the events at the block party leading up to the shooting on social media.
In one video on her Facebook page, a firework explodes just feet away from a police cruiser with lights on.
Police said another person died at the scene after suffering a medical emergency. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office identified him as Marcus Martin Jr., 26, of San Diego, California. His cause of death is pending an autopsy.
At least two additional shooting victims from the east Fort Worth neighborhood were taken to hospitals and were expected to survive, according to police.
Police believe there are multiple suspects in the case, but have not identified persons of interest.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Tarrant County Crime Stoppers. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
