Social Media Influencer Now Shot and Killed Outside Inland Empire Restaurant
FONTANA, Calif. — A devastating sequence of events unfolded on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Fontana, California, when a woman and her date were fatally shot in a shopping center parking lot, followed by the death of the suspected gunman at the hands of an off-duty San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy.
The incident, rooted in domestic violence, has left the community reeling and sparked conversations about the dangers faced by those separating from abusive partners.
The victims, identified as 40-year-old Gloria Zamora and 43-year-old Hector Garduno, were gunned down outside Summa Sushi at the Falcon Ridge Town Center on Summit Avenue around 9:40 p.m.
According to the Fontana Police Department, the shooter was 45-year-old Thomas Alberto Tamayo Lizarraga, Zamora’s estranged husband, who was in the process of divorcing her.
Investigators believe Lizarraga tracked Zamora to the restaurant, where she had been dining with Garduno for approximately an hour before the attack.
Gloria Zamora, a social media influencer and fitness coach with over 154,000 Instagram followers, was a mother of seven, known for inspiring women to embrace their strength and potential.
She had recently spoken publicly about her pending divorce on the HERizon podcast, hinting at challenges with her estranged husband, saying, “Instead of being supportive, you’re over here trying to bring me down.”
Hector Garduno, a devoted father of four daughters, was remembered as a hardworking man who lived for his family.
Details of the Incident Leading to the Shooting
Fontana Police Officer Steve Reed described the incident as a tragic escalation of domestic violence, noting, “There was a male and a female who were estranged; they were going through a divorce, which led to this.”
He added that it was unclear how Lizarraga knew Zamora’s whereabouts, but the attack appeared premeditated.
As the shots rang out, an off-duty San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy, who has not been named, was driving nearby and heard the gunfire.
According to Officer Reed, the deputy “made a U-turn at the light, got out of his vehicle, and confronted the suspect,” who was attempting to flee.
During the confrontation, the deputy fatally shot Lizarraga, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Both Zamora and Garduno were rushed to nearby hospitals but succumbed to their injuries.
The shooting has left a combined 11 children—Zamora’s seven, aged 8 to 24, and Garduno’s four daughters—without their parents.
Zamora’s daughter, Jazlynee, launched a GoFundMe campaign titled “Stand with Gloria’s Family in Their Grief,” which had raised over $21,200 by Tuesday morning to cover funeral costs and support her siblings.
In her heartfelt statement, Jazlynee wrote, “My mom was senselessly taken from us, she was murdered by my stepdad Tomas, in an act of unimaginable violence.
She uplifted and inspired countless women, reminding them of their worth, their strength, and their potential.”
Similarly, one of Garduno’s daughters established a GoFundMe to ease the financial burden on her family, describing her father as a “hardworking man that was tragically murdered and taken too soon.”
She added, “His passing has left a hole in our hearts and a void in our lives that can never be filled.”
The Fontana Police Department is continuing its investigation into the incident, and the deputy’s actions are under review, as is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings.
Authorities have not released the deputy’s identity, citing ongoing investigative needs.
A Call For Help
The tragedy underscores the heightened risks faced by individuals leaving abusive relationships.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, women separating from their partners are at the greatest risk of experiencing domestic violence.
For those in need of support, the hotline offers confidential assistance 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or by texting “START” to 88788.
This heartbreaking incident has sparked an outpouring of grief and support on social media, with posts on X reflecting the community’s shock and sorrow.
One user wrote, “Gloria Zamora spent her early adult years trying to do better after family trauma… She and her children deserved better!”
Another emphasized the broader issue, stating, “Life is not something to play with and everyone deserves to be treated correctly even if they no longer want to be in a relationship.”
As Fontana mourns the loss of two beloved community members, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and raising awareness about the dangers of domestic violence.
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