Oregon man Hector Gonzalez’s weekend getaway turned tragic when he was shot in a Tacoma hotel room after paying a stripper $1,500 for a private encounter. What began as a night of fun quickly spiraled into a deadly robbery, orchestrated by the dancer’s boyfriend, leading to a ππ½πΈπΈππΎππ murder case.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of August 25, 2024, at a Holiday Inn Express, where hotel staff received a frantic 911 call reporting a medical emergency. Upon arrival, police discovered Gonzalez shot and unresponsive in his room, with signs of a struggle evident.
Gonzalez had traveled to Tacoma with friends, looking for a good time. His night took a dark turn when he met a stripper named Ashley Aretta at Dream Girls at Foxes. After an agreement for a private meeting, Gonzalez sent Aretta $1,500 via Zelle, unaware that her boyfriend, Jamari Webb, was lurking in the background, waiting for his opportunity.
Investigators pieced together the chaotic events through surveillance footage and witness statements. After receiving the payment, Aretta sent Webb a text with a heart emoji, signaling that it was time for action. Just moments later, Webb knocked on the hotel room door, and what followed was a violent confrontation.
Witnesses reported hearing commotion in the hotel room, and it soon became clear that Webb had assaulted Gonzalez before shooting him. Rather than calling for help, the couple allegedly fled the scene, disposing of Gonzalez’s phone along the highway and changing their clothes to evade capture.
As the investigation unfolded, both Webb and Aretta were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and robbery. In December 2025, Webb was sentenced to 36 years, while Aretta received 31 years behind bars.
This tragic case serves as a grim reminder of how quickly a night of revelry can turn deadly. Gonzalez’s family is left mourning the loss of a loved one, while the legal system seeks justice for a life cut short by greed and betrayal.