Court records say Ashley Ruhland claimed self-defense, but investigators reported finding no evidence that she faced an immediate threat.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY, Iowa — A Sioux City woman has been charged with first-degree murder after authorities said she fatally shot a man from behind while the two were conducting target practice on an isolated rural property.
Ashley M. Ruhland, 35, is accused of killing 49-year-old Justin F. Emmick on July 29 at an acreage along the 31000 block of County Road K-18S in Plymouth County. Ruhland called 911 after the shooting and initially claimed that she had acted in self-defense, according to a criminal complaint described by local news organizations. Investigators later determined that Ruhland was responsible for Emmick’s death, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies were dispatched to the property shortly after 3 p.m. following a report of a shooting. The first deputy to arrive was directed by the caller to a remote section of the acreage, where Emmick was found with gunshot wounds. Emergency personnel began life-saving measures, but the Plymouth County medical examiner pronounced him dead at the scene.
The property included about 30 acres of rugged land, and officials said some areas could be reached only with all-terrain vehicles. Ruhland had been temporarily staying at the same address as Emmick for several days before the shooting, according to authorities. Investigators did not publicly describe the full nature of their relationship.
The criminal complaint alleges that Ruhland asked Emmick to accompany her to a remote part of the property so they could practice shooting. Authorities said Emmick was struck twice, including once in the back. Investigators reported that the placement of the wounds indicated he had been facing away from Ruhland when he was shot.
Ruhland told investigators that she feared for her safety and made statements indicating that she believed the confrontation had reached a point where either she or Emmick would die, according to reports citing the complaint. Authorities also alleged that she said she did not want Emmick to suffer. The exact circumstances leading up to the gunfire have not been fully released.
Investigators said they found no evidence at the scene showing that Ruhland was in immediate danger when she fired. Ruhland had no reported injuries, and authorities did not disclose evidence that Emmick was threatening her with a weapon at the time, according to the complaint. Her self-defense claim remains an allegation that will be evaluated through the court process.
Court records cited by local news organizations indicate that Ruhland was the protected party in a protection order involving Emmick. She had also reportedly told relatives that she wanted a firearm for protection and that Emmick planned to teach her how to use one. Authorities have not said whether the protection order was active at the time of the shooting or explained how it affected their contact.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office previously reported that Emmick was arrested Jan. 10 after deputies responded to an assault report on County Road K-18S. He was charged at that time with violating a no-contact order. Officials have not publicly established how that earlier case relates to the circumstances surrounding the July shooting.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation participated in the inquiry and charged Ruhland with first-degree murder, a Class A felony under Iowa law. A criminal charge is an accusation, and Ruhland is presumed innocent unless she is found guilty in court.
Ruhland was booked into the Plymouth County Jail and was being held without bond. Authorities said the investigation remained active, and no trial date or additional court proceedings had been publicly confirmed as of Wednesday.
Author note: Last updated August 5, 2026.