A night out in downtown Dallas turned deadly when 28-year-old real estate agent Ashlee Long was fatally shot after a brief encounter with a passing vehicle — a moment that has since unraveled into a complex case involving guns, self-defense claims, and a companion with a troubling criminal history.
The incident occurred on April 5 as Long and a group of friends, including 26-year-old William Kistler, were leaving a bar. According to Dallas police, Kistler brushed his hand along the side of a Mercedes as they crossed the street. That simple action, investigators say, triggered a deadly chain of events.
Police allege that Kendrick Finch, 34, exited the Mercedes with a firearm and opened fire. Kistler reportedly reached into Long’s purse to retrieve his own weapon, which prompted Finch to shoot, striking both Long and Kistler. Kistler managed to return fire, but Finch fled the scene.
Long succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Kistler survived and was later charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, a felony, and is currently being held in the Collin County Jail.
Finch, who has a prior record including burglary and drug charges, turned himself in and is now charged with murder. Prosecutors claim he fired “at least eight times” in a crowded urban area. “From the evidence that I see, it is our firm belief that Mr. Finch was the first one to shoot,” prosecutors said. “He fired that gun at least eight times in a residential-commercial street with people and cars everywhere.”
Finch’s defense attorney, Josh Healy, argues that his client acted in self-defense. He claims Kistler was aggressive and reaching for a gun when Finch reacted. “Ashlee Long would be alive today except for William Kistler,” Healy stated in court. “He’s trying to fight random people on the street, and then he hits my client’s car. Kistler started everything.”
Healy also highlighted video evidence, suggesting Kistler’s movement toward the vehicle posed a real threat. He demonstrated in court how, according to him, Kistler reached into Long’s purse and raised the gun before Finch fired.
Finch was released on May 13 after posting a $500,000 bond, following a judge’s refusal to lower the amount.
The tragedy has cast a spotlight on Kistler, whose past is filled with legal trouble. Records show a pattern of misdemeanor offenses dating back to 2018, including theft of services, assault causing bodily injury to a family member, and violating bond conditions in a domestic violence case. In 2023, he faced another theft charge. While most resulted in misdemeanor dispositions, Kistler is currently involved in two open cases — a 2019 felony burglary charge and a 2022 vehicle-related case.
For Dallas residents, the shooting underscores growing concerns around gun violence, nightlife safety, and the dangers of impulsive street altercations. As the case develops, it also raises questions about how criminal histories influence both perception and legal outcomes in self-defense cases.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation unfolds. For more local coverage, check out our recent reports on crime trends in Dallas and surrounding counties.