A Deadly Shot, A Dubious Claim: Woman's Gun Fascination Under Scrutiny in Boyfriend's Death

In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through North Las Vegas, Joseph Anthony Smith was fatally shot, and his girlfriend, Ashley Jeanette Lewis, now faces a murder charge. The harrowing event unfolded at their apartment, where Lewis vehemently maintains the shooting was a horrific accident, a desperate attempt to de-escalate a heated argument.

According to North Las Vegas police reports, the fatal altercation occurred on July 17, 2023.

Lewis recounted to investigators that during a heated dispute with Smith, she retrieved a shotgun from a closet, her intention, she claimed, was merely to scare him into leaving. It was during this tense moment, she insisted, that the firearm “accidentally” discharged, striking and killing Smith.

However, the police investigation has uncovered details that cast a shadow of doubt on Lewis's claim of an accidental shooting.

Detectives noted a significant and concerning pattern in Lewis's behavior: a profound "fascination with guns." This aspect of her life was not only evident through social media postings but also corroborated by past interactions and incidents.

A particularly disturbing detail emerged from a prior incident involving Lewis and Smith.

Authorities had previously investigated Lewis for allegedly pointing a firearm at a child during an argument with Smith. This chilling precursor, coupled with her known penchant for weapons, has led investigators to scrutinize her account of the fatal shooting with intense rigor.

Despite her persistent assertions of an accidental discharge, the weight of evidence and Lewis's documented history with firearms prompted North Las Vegas police to arrest her on suspicion of murder.

The tragic death of Joseph Anthony Smith now rests at the center of a complex legal battle, where the line between accident and intent remains blurred, leaving a community grappling with questions and seeking justice.