Ariela ‘La Langosta”s Death Investigated as ‘Targeted’ Killing, Police Say

Police are continuing to investigate the murder of Dominican influencer Ariela “La Langosta.”

The 33-year-old content creator — whose real name was Ariela Mejia-Polanco — was found shot dead in her car on the Cross County Parkway in Westchester County, N.Y., on the morning of Aug. 17.

“Investigation to date, we do believe she was targeted at this time,” Westchester County Police Chief James Luciano told CBS New York on Monday, Aug. 25.

According to CBS New York, police believe the influencer was shot while driving and stopped the vehicle on the side of the parkway after she was struck. Authorities are working to retrace Mejia-Polanco’s movements and activities in the days before her death, though they have chosen to withhold some information from public release to safeguard the investigation, the outlet also reported.

Ikon New York, a Manhattan restaurant and lounge, previously confirmed to PEOPLE that Mejia-Polanco was an employee of the establishment and had been “at work” the night before her death.

Per CBS New York, Westchester County has been working with the New York Police Department and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force throughout the investigation.

Westchester County Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

According to CBS News, Mejia-Polanco is survived by two young daughters. The content creator, who maintained a following of over 556,000 on Instagram, was known on the platform for her fashion and modeling content, in addition to her public friendship with rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine.

Following the news of Mejia-Polanco’s death, the performer shared a series of posts to his Instagram Stories, remembering the late internet personality as the “queen of New York.”

“NY won’t ever be the same,” he added. “I loved you.”

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Ikon New York, her former employer, also shared a tribute for Mejia-Polanco on Instagram, writing on the platform, “Your joy, your humility, and the way you treated everyone with so much care always made you stand out.”

“Thank you for giving so much love and support to our home, which also became yours,” the restaurant continued. “To Ariela’s family, we are here for anything you need. We still can’t believe it… you were our smile, our happiness. We love you and we will miss you forever.”