A Sioux City woman has been arrested after allegedly fatally shooting a man in rural Plymouth County Wednesday afternoon. 35-year-old Ashley Ruhland was taken into custody by authorities and has been charged with one count of first degree murder.
According to a criminal complaint, Ruhland was staying with the victim, 49-year-old Justin Emmick, on his property in rural southwestern Plymouth County. The complaint says Ruhland had a protection order against Emmick at the time of the shooting. Both Ruhland and Emmick were target shooting on the property at around 3pm Wednesday when Ruhland allegedly shot Emmick once in the back and once in the head from behind.
Ruhland called 911 to report the shooting in self-defense, where she told law enforcement “akin to “it’s got to be now or its going to be me”, “it was either him or me”, and “I didn’t want him to suffer”.” The complaint further states that Ruhland “told family members she wanted a gun for protection,” and that Emmick “was going to teach her how to shoot.”
Ruhland is currently in the Plymouth County Jail and will make her first appearance in court on August 10th. KLEM will update this story when more information becomes available.
