Destenie Alexandria Mendez, 28, was killed on January 1, 2025, while working as the property manager at an apartment complex in the 2900 block of St. George Drive in Dallas’ Red Bird area. She and her husband, Kevin Violante-Varela, went to address complaints about a group drinking and playing loud music in the parking lot. Witnesses say the group refused to leave and that Violante-Varela then exited a vehicle with a firearm and began shooting. Mendez was fatally shot in the head as she tried to stop him.

First responders found Mendez deceased at the scene. Three other people suffered gunshot wounds and were taken to a local hospital in stable condition. Violante-Varela was arrested and charged with murder and is being held in the Dallas County Jail on $500,000 bond. The investigation remains ongoing.

Mendez is survived by her parents Juan Antonio Villagran and Veronica Mendez, her husband Kevin V. Varela, two children Kevin Antonio Varela and Genesis Alessa Varela, and her sister Stephanie Alexia Villagran. Does anyone have information about that night or saw activity around the St. George Drive apartments on January 1, 2025?