Murder charge laid in shooting death of woman in Rocky Mountain House

A 44-year-old man has been charged in the shooting death of a woman in Rocky Mountain House, Alta., late last week.

Friends have identified the victim as 28-year-old Ashley Smith-Ames. She was found dead inside a home in the central Alberta community on Friday night.

Just after 7:30 p.m., RCMP were called to the home after several 911 calls about a man with a gun in the home.

Smith-Ames’ sister, 29-year-old Alexis Ames, suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the incident. She was taken to hospital and released, RCMP said on Saturday.

On Monday, RCMP confirmed Ashley Ames died of a gunshot wound.

Police said there were three children in the home who were not injured.

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The man had left by the time RCMP arrived. Police said Saturday the 44-year-old turned himself in to Rocky Mountain House RCMP.

On Monday, RCMP said Marshall Lawrence Stone, of Rocky Mountain House, was charged with second-degree murder in Smith-Ames’ death. He is also charged with the attempted murder of Alexis Ames, police said.

RCMP have not revealed the relationship between the suspect and the victim, but police confirmed “this is a domestic situation.”

Friends said Smith-Ames was a mother of a little boy who meant the world to her. Family and friends are setting up a trust fund for the 28-year-old’s son.

“Everyone is pretty shook up. It’s hard to believe something like this could happen in our small town,” Jazmin Thomson said.

“Ashley was the kindest, most loyal, genuine person. She would do anything for anyone. She was always there to talk, listen or just give you a big hug. Whatever anyone needed. She was courageous and extremely hardworking.”

Thomson said Smith-Ames and Stone were not a couple but did not speak further about the relationship.

Watch below: RCMP in Rocky Mountain House are investigating a deadly domestic dispute. As Josh Ritchie reports, investigators have one man in custody and the community is now mourning the loss of a woman. (Filed Sunday, July 28, 2019). 

1:22 Woman killed, sister injured in Rocky Mountain House domestic homicide case

Stone remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

Rocky Mountain House is about 215 kilometres southwest of Edmonton and about 80 kilometres west of Red Deer.