Southern California fitness influencer killed in ‘act of unimaginable violence’

FONTANA, CA – A beloved Southern California fitness influencer, known for her dedication to empowering women and mothers, was tragically shot and killed alongside her business partner in a Fontana parking lot on Sunday night. The suspected gunman, her estranged husband, was subsequently shot and killed by an off-duty sheriff’s deputy who heard the gunfire.

The victims have been identified as Gloria Zamora, 40, a prominent social media figure with a substantial following, and her business partner, 43-year-old Hector Garduno. Family members say the two were meeting at a sushi restaurant in a strip mall to discuss plans for a new gym for women when the horrific attack occurred.

According to family and police statements, as Zamora and Garduno concluded their meeting, they were ambushed in the parking lot. The sudden eruption of violence in the busy commercial center has left the community in shock.

“I’m just waiting for her to walk in through the door and come in laughing. It’s just so hard,” said Jazlynne Zamora, 24, Gloria’s daughter. “Nobody saw her Saturday. She was gone for a business meeting. She did a photo shoot and met her business partner because they were going to open up a gym for women.”

Zamora had built a significant online community, with 155,000 followers on Instagram and 85,000 on TikTok. She was celebrated for her fitness advice and motivational content, specifically tailored for mothers. Her daughter described her as a “light in her community,” a woman who “uplifted and inspired countless women, reminding them of their worth, their strength, and their potential.”

In a fundraising campaign initiated to cover funeral expenses, Jazlynne Zamora wrote, “She always said, ‘Women can do anything they set their minds to,’ and she lived those words every day. Her courage, kindness, and determination touched the lives of everyone who knew her.”

Jazlynne revealed that her mother had been in a long and abusive relationship with her estranged husband. “He was always very abusive to my mom,” she said. “Mentally and physically and emotionally abusive up until Saturday. Every day was a fight and argument and an issue with my mom.” Just days before her death, Zamora had reportedly referenced her tumultuous relationship on her ‘HERizon’ podcast.

The family of Hector Garduno, a father of four, is also reeling from the senseless loss. A separate fundraising effort described him as a “loving, devoted, and hardworking man that was tragically murdered and gone too soon.” The post continued, “He lived life with strength and did everything he could for his four daughters and family. His passing has left a hole in our hearts and a void in our lives that can never be filled.”

Authorities have not yet clarified how the shooter located Zamora and Garduno at the restaurant. The investigation into the double murder-suicide is ongoing. Both Zamora and Garduno were transported to a local hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.

This act of “unimaginable violence,” as it is being described, has cut short the lives of two individuals described as dedicated parents and aspiring entrepreneurs, leaving behind grieving families and a shaken community.