Woman suspected in death of husband released

A woman accused in the shotgun slaying of her husband was released from custody Tuesday by a Las Vegas judge.

Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo released Ericka McElroy because Clark County prosecutors had failed to file charges against her.

She is accused of shooting Shane McElroy, 37, in the chest after a domestic dispute on Oct. 7.

Deputy District Attorney Pamela Weckerly said the case is being reviewed by prosecutors. She would not comment on whether investigators are considering whether the shooting was in self-defense.

Ericka McElroy, 25, told Las Vegas police that her husband was abusive to her for the decade they were together and that she believed he was going to kill her.

According to her arrest report, her husband showed up drunk about 2:30 a.m. to their home in the 5000 block of Upper Falls Court, near the intersection of Cactus Avenue and Decatur Boulevard.

He accused his wife of having an affair and threatened to kill his wife's lover. He then grabbed two rifles and put weapons in his vehicle.

The couple argued for about an hour before moving into the garage, where they scuffled over a shotgun, the report stated.

Ericka McElroy got a hold of the gun and they went out into the street. She told police her husband tried to grab the weapon and she feared he would kill her. She then fired the fatal shot.

The McElroy's marriage of about four years was ending, the report said, and Shane McElroy was in the process of moving out when the shooting occurred. The two have an 8-year-old son together.

Ericka McElroy was originally charged with murder with a deadly weapon.

A follow up appearance is scheduled for Nov. 16.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.