Friends and Family Grieve Teen’s Death

A community is mourning after a deadly shooting shattered what many residents describe as a typically “safe” area.

Late Monday evening, deputies with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a reported shooting in the Dana community. One local resident described the area as quiet and secure, making the incident even more unsettling for those who live nearby.

When deputies arrived, they found 18-year-old Izabella Gamez suffering from gunshot wounds. Gamez, a recent December graduate of North Henderson High School, later died from her injuries.

By Tuesday morning, authorities announced the arrest of two individuals in connection with the case. Nineteen-year-old Leron Monteith has been charged with first-degree murder, while 18-year-old Sheilah Tong faces a charge of accessory after the fact. Officials confirmed that Monteith is being held without bond.

Court records indicate Monteith has a prior history of charges, including a December 2025 incident. According to reports, he had been released on bond just days before the shooting, following a misdemeanor larceny charge involving stolen food from a Hendersonville bar.

Tong was issued a $250,000 bond. Both suspects are scheduled to appear in court on May 12.

As the investigation continues, the loss of a young life has left friends, family, and the broader community searching for answers and grappling with grief.