Fort Worth, Texas — A woman was shot and killed early Friday morning at a Fort Worth motel while helping a friend locate his stolen vehicle, an encounter that police say escalated into a deadly confrontation and remains under active investigation.
Officers with the Fort Worth Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the Sun Valley Motel in the 1800 block of Jacksboro Highway at approximately 5:20 a.m. Friday, according to authorities. When officers arrived, they found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Emergency responders rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, but she later died from her injuries, police confirmed.
What led police to the Sun Valley Motel
Investigators say the shooting stemmed from a stolen vehicle reported earlier that morning. According to police, a man discovered his car had been taken overnight but did not immediately report the theft to authorities.
Instead, officers say the man decided to search for the vehicle himself and was accompanied by the woman who was later killed.
Using information not yet publicly disclosed, the pair were able to locate the stolen car at the Sun Valley Motel, a property located along a busy stretch of Jacksboro Highway in northwest Fort Worth.
Confrontation turns deadly
Police believe the fatal shooting occurred during a confrontation between the vehicle’s owner, the woman, and individuals who were inside the stolen car.
During that encounter, the woman was shot, authorities said. Police have not released details about what was said or done in the moments before gunfire erupted, and it remains unclear whether the victim or the vehicle owner were armed.
After the shooting, two suspects fled the scene on foot, according to investigators. A search of the surrounding area was conducted, but police said the suspects were not located and remain at large.
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Possible link to earlier drive-by shooting
Detectives are also exploring whether the stolen vehicle may be connected to another violent incident that occurred earlier Friday morning.
According to Fort Worth police, investigators are working to determine whether the same vehicle was involved in a drive-by shooting reported elsewhere in the city prior to the motel incident.
At this stage, authorities have not confirmed whether the two cases are directly related, but police say the possibility is being actively examined as part of the homicide investigation.
Victim’s identity not yet released
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will officially identify the victim, but police said her name will not be released until family members have been notified.
Authorities have not disclosed the relationship between the woman and the vehicle owner beyond confirming that she was helping a friend search for the stolen car.
Police say incident appears isolated
While the shooting has raised concerns among residents in the area, Fort Worth police emphasized that the violence does not appear to pose an ongoing threat to the community.
Police stated that the shooting appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no continuing danger to the public at this time.
Homicide detectives are leading the investigation, and officers are reviewing evidence from the scene, including surveillance footage from the motel and nearby businesses.
Authorities urge residents not to confront suspects
The incident has prompted renewed warnings from law enforcement about the dangers of personally confronting suspected criminals, particularly in cases involving stolen vehicles.
Police routinely advise residents to report thefts immediately and allow authorities to handle recovery efforts, noting that suspects may be armed or willing to use violence when confronted.
Investigators have not indicated whether charges will be filed against anyone else involved, including the vehicle owner, and stressed that the focus remains on identifying and arresting the suspects who fled.
Investigation ongoing
As of Friday afternoon, police had not announced any arrests. Detectives continue to canvass the area for witnesses and are asking anyone with information about the shooting or the suspects to come forward.
Additional updates are expected once investigators determine whether the stolen vehicle was tied to the earlier drive-by shooting and once the victim’s identity is officially released.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Fort Worth Police Department or submit tips anonymously through local crime tip lines.
What are your thoughts on this incident and the risks of confronting suspected thieves without police involvement? Share your perspective in the comments below.
