Sioux City woman claimed self-defense after fatal shooting, is now charged with murder

PLYMOUTH COUNTY, Iowa (KTIV) - A man was fatally shot at a rural Northwest Iowa property, and the woman charged with his murder told authorities it was self-defense.

The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office says at about 3:10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, first responders were sent to an acreage located north of Sioux City for a shooting.

When the sheriff’s office and medical personnel got to 31525 K18S, located in rural Plymouth County, they found a man with gunshot wounds in a remote area of the acreage. The man was identified as 49-year-old Justin Emmick of rural Sioux City.

“Life-saving measures were initiated; however were unsuccessful, and [Emmick] was later pronounced dead at the scene by the Plymouth County Medical Examiner,” stated the sheriff’s office in a press release.

Charged for Emmick’s death was 35-year-old Ashley Ruhland, a Sioux City resident. In court documents, authorities say Ruhland had been staying at the acreage with Emmick for several days before the shooting. Those documents also state Ruhland is the protected party in a protection order against Emmick.

Investigators say before 911 was called, Ruhland and Emmick were in a remote corner of the acreage target shooting together.

At some point, authorities say Ruhland shot Emmick twice, once in the back and once in the head. Ruhland was identified as the person who called 911 to report the shooting and claimed she shot Emmick in self-defense.

“During the investigation, there was no evidence indicating [Ruhland] was in danger from [Emmick],” stated authorities in court documents. “[Ruhland] made statements to law enforcement akin to ‘it’s got to be now, or it’s going to be me,‘ ‘it was either him or me,’ and ‘I didn’t want him to suffer.’ The bullet wounds show [Emmick] was shot from behind while [Ruhland] was uninjured.”

Sometime before the shooting, authorities say Ruhland told family members that she wanted a gun for protection and Emmick was going to teach her how to shoot.

Murder charge and court date

Ruhland was arrested the day of the shooting, July 29, and is facing one count of first-degree murder. Under Iowa law, if she is convicted, Ruhland would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

As of Thursday, July 30, she is being held at the Plymouth County Jail on no bond. Ruhland is expected at the Plymouth Courthouse on Monday, Aug. 10, for her initial appearance.

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