An Oregon man’s weekend getaway to Tacoma turned deadly after he was lured into a hotel room by a stripper, only to be ambushed by her boyfriend. Hector Gonzalez, 27, was shot and killed in what investigators believe was a premeditated robbery, sending shockwaves through the community.
Gonzalez traveled to Tacoma with friends, seeking a night of revelry. The group ended up at the Dream Girls strip club, where he met a dancer named Ashley Aretta. After a few drinks and flirtations, they agreed to meet later for a private encounter. Unbeknownst to Gonzalez, Ashley’s boyfriend, Jamari Webb, was waiting in the wings, ready to execute a sinister plan.
After Gonzalez sent Ashley $1,500 via Zelle for their rendezvous, she signaled Webb with a hot emoji, indicating the transaction was complete. This seemingly innocent exchange set off a chain of events that would lead to tragedy.
At approximately 3:30 a.m., hotel staff received a frantic 911 call reporting an emergency in room 520. When responders arrived, they found Gonzalez shot and unresponsive, with signs of a struggle evident in the room. The scene revealed a broken necklace, a tequila receipt, and a single slip-on shoe—clues that would prove pivotal in the investigation.
Surveillance footage captured two individuals leaving the hotel shortly after the shooting. One detail stood out: the man was only wearing one shoe. This piece of evidence would eventually link Webb to the crime scene through DNA testing.
As detectives pieced together the timeline, they learned that Gonzalez’s friends had grown concerned when he failed to return after meeting Ashley. They reported him missing, prompting an investigation that would reveal the 𝓈𝒽𝓸𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 truth.
Ashley and Jamari were eventually arrested, facing serious charges including first-degree murder. During interrogations, Ashley maintained that she had no idea what transpired after she left the room, claiming she was simply trying to get away from the situation. However, the evidence suggested otherwise.
On November 17, 2025, a jury found both Ashley and Jamari guilty of their roles in the crime. Jamari received a 36-year sentence, while Ashley was sentenced to 31 years. The chilling case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in seemingly innocent encounters, leaving the community mourning the loss of a young life taken too soon.
As the story unfolds, the family of Hector Gonzalez continues to seek justice for their loved one, left with only memories of a weekend that turned fatal. This tragic incident highlights the risks associated with the nightlife and the dark underbelly of seemingly harmless transactions.