Vigil Held For Weatherford Woman Shot, Killed At Hotel; Boyfriend Arrested

Friends and family said Ashley Barr, 30, helped others out of domestic situations. This week, they said she became the victim of one.

Barr was fatally shot Monday around 8:45 p.m. at the Best Western hotel in Weatherford. Barr’s boyfriend, Zachary Sherwood, 27, of Elk City was arrested at the scene.

Weatherford police said Barr was shot in the chest and taken to Weatherford Regional Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

A candlelight vigil was held for Barr Wednesday night, attended by friends and family.

“(She was) funny, very caring, loving,” said Barr’s mother, Cathy Alvarado. “She loved to help people, very outgoing.”

Family said Sherwood has hurt his girlfriend before. The two had been dating for over four months and met when Sherwood moved across the street from Barr’s mother.

“She showed me bruises,” said Alvarado. “He promised me he wouldn’t touch my daughter again. He is a loser. He will never amount to anything and I hope to God he spends the rest of his life behind bars.”

What led up to the shooting, police said, is still under investigation.

Friends may have an idea.

“I think that Ashley was leaving him,” said Deenda Gonzalez, Barr’s best friend. “I think she was setting herself up to leave him and I believe that is maybe why he shot her, maybe she was leaving at that moment.”

As a mother prepares to bury her child, she hopes others stuck in abusive relationships realize there is hope.

“I hope he feels the pain that I feel right now for the rest of his life,” said Alvarado. “He took a wonderful person away.”

Sherwood remains behind bars in the Custer County Jail. He is expected to be formally charged Thursday morning.

If you or anyone you may know is stuck in an abusive relationship, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).