Police: Fatal November shooting determined to be self-defense

Police determined Friday that a fatal November shooting in Sioux Falls was in self-defense, according to a news release.

The identity of 34-year-old Joel Ashby, who was killed in the shooting, was confirmed by his brother, Brian Ashby, in an earlier Argus Leader article. According to court documents, both Joel Ashby and his wife had histories of domestic abuse.

Officers found Ashby dead with a gunshot to his chest inside a residence at 1808 W. 10th St. when they responded to a report of a shooting around 1:48 a.m. Nov. 5. Ashby's wife was also at the residence.

She told officers she shot her husband in self-defense and that no one else was present during the shooting, according to the news release.

The Minnehaha County State's Attorney's Office determined the shooting was a self-defense and "therefore a justifiable homicide" under South Dakota law. There will be no charges, according to the news release.

The gun was recovered at the scene, and police said a domestic dispute led to the shooting.

Brian Ashby also said his brother was married to Stephanie Ashby in an earlier Argus Leader article. She has been charged with simple assault at least twice, according to court records. Both times, charges were dropped by prosecutors.

Joel Ashby had several charges of domestic assault levied against him. Many were dismissed by the prosecutor. However, he pleaded guilty in two cases: December 2013 and January 2015.

Ashby also had multiple convictions for DUI and driving with a revoked license. In September 2008, he pleaded guilty to his fifth DUI charge and was sentenced to five years in prison.