Toledo Mourns Tragic Loss of Ashley Fonseca, 37, Killed in South Side Shooting
Toledo, Ohio — The Toledo community is heartbroken following the tragic loss of Ashley Fonseca, who passed away on June 26, 2025, at the age of 37. Ashley died from injuries sustained in a devastating shooting in south Toledo and was pronounced dead at a local medical facility. Her untimely passing has left family, friends, and neighbors in shock and deep sorrow.
The incident occurred late in the evening on June 25 in the 800 block of South Avenue, a normally quiet residential stretch where residents say the sound of gunfire shattered the calm of a summer night. According to the Toledo Police Department, officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots in the area and found Ashley Fonseca suffering from critical gunshot wounds upon arrival. Emergency responders rushed her to Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries the following day.
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting and have not made any arrests as of Saturday morning. Police say it’s too early to determine whether Ashley was the intended target or caught in the crossfire of a larger altercation. Detectives are urging witnesses to come forward with any information, and surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residences is being reviewed.
Ashley’s family, devastated by her sudden death, is pleading with the community to speak up. “We just want answers,” said her cousin, Carla Fonseca. “Ashley was a beautiful person who didn’t deserve this. She had a light in her that everyone could feel. We need justice for her.”
Ashley Fonseca was more than just a victim — she was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Those who knew her describe her as a compassionate soul with a contagious laugh and a heart that made space for everyone. A lifelong resident of Toledo, she graduated from Bowsher High School and spent much of her adult life working in the hospitality industry, where she built lasting relationships with coworkers and customers alike. Her coworkers at the downtown restaurant where she worked for nearly a decade are reeling from the news.
“Ashley was the kind of person who could walk into a room and lift the mood without saying a word,” said Brianna Lewis, a close friend and colleague. “She worked hard, loved fiercely, and showed up for people in ways that most wouldn’t. Losing her like this… it’s just senseless.”
In recent years, Ashley had also been volunteering with a local organization dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence, a cause close to her heart. Friends say she had dreams of going back to school to study social work and hoped to one day open a women’s shelter in Toledo.
“She was a fighter — for herself and for others,” said Dominique Harris, a fellow volunteer. “Ashley had seen her share of hardship, but she turned that pain into purpose. She wanted to help people feel safe, seen, and loved. That’s the legacy she leaves behind.”
A candlelight vigil is being organized for Sunday evening at Highland Park, not far from where the shooting occurred. Community members are invited to come together to honor Ashley’s memory, share stories, and demand action. Organizers say they want the vigil to be more than a moment of mourning — they want it to be a call for change.
As the investigation continues, Ashley’s family has established a memorial fund to assist with funeral costs and to support her lifelong dream of helping others. Donations have already begun to pour in, along with messages of love and remembrance from all corners of the city.
In a city too often touched by violence, Ashley Fonseca’s death is a painful reminder of how fragile and precious life truly is. Those who loved her are left to grapple with a future forever altered — but they are determined that her story will not end in silence.
“We will speak her name,” said Carla Fonseca. “And we will not stop fighting until we know who did this. Ashley deserves justice. And her memory deserves peace