What started as a simple night out turned into a nightmare. Texas real estate agent Ashlee Long, 28, was fatally shot in downtown Dallas after a confrontation sparked by a seemingly trivial incident—a brush against a passing Mercedes.
Henry Long, Ashlee’s dad, said that the suspect allegedly responsible for her death deserves prison. (KDFW-TV)
Here’s the jaw-dropping breakdown of what went down and the criminal pasts that added fuel to the fire.
The Fatal Night
According to investigators, Long and her 26-year-old companion, William Kistler, were leaving a bar on April 5 when Kistler allegedly brushed his hand against the side of a Mercedes.
That small gesture led Kendrick Finch, 34, to jump out of the car with a gun and open fire.
Kistler reportedly grabbed a gun from Long’s purse in an attempt to defend them, but Finch shot both of them.
William Kistler was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, a felony. He is currently in the Collin County Jail. (Collin County Jail)
Long succumbed to her injuries, while Kistler survived the altercation.
Finch fled but later surrendered to authorities and now faces murder charges.
A History of Trouble
As the case unfolds, the spotlight has turned to Kistler, who is no stranger to the legal system.
From theft to assault, his criminal record is peppered with misdemeanors and a pending felony charge for burglary.
Kistler is now also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.
Finch’s own past isn’t clean either, including drug charges and burglary, raising questions about how two troubled paths collided so violently that night.
A confrontation ensued in Dallas, Texas, after Ashlee Long’s male friend, later identified as William Kistler, allegedly brushed his hand along a Mercedes vehicle. (KDFW-TV)
A Father’s Plea
Ashlee’s father, Henry Long, has been vocal about seeking justice for his daughter.
In a heartfelt statement, he emphasized the pain of losing her to senseless violence and called for Finch to remain behind bars.
Legal Blame Game
In court, Finch’s attorney argued self-defense, claiming Kistler escalated the situation by reaching for a gun.
Security footage allegedly shows the tense seven seconds leading up to the shooting, which both sides are using to support their narratives.
Kendrick Finch was captured on security footage pulling out a gun and shooting 28-year-old Ashlee Long and William Kistler. (KDFW-TV)
This tragic tale of a night gone horribly wrong leaves a community grieving, families shattered, and many wondering how such senseless violence could erupt from something so trivial.
Downtown Dallas murder suspect Kendrick Finch appeared in court on Wednesday, May 7, in an attempt to reduce his bond. He was eventually released on May 13 after posting a $500,000 bond. (KDFW-TV)
What’s your take? Should Finch have stayed in the car, or was Kistler’s reaction to blame?