Nearly two months after 26-year-old Ashley Rose Jackson was fatally shot during a child custody exchange in Casper, many questions about what happened remain unanswered.
The Casper Police Department told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday that the investigation into the May 15 shooting remains active. Because the case has not been closed, police said they are not yet able to release investigative records or discuss additional details.
On the night of the shooting, police said officers responded to the 400 block of East 15th Street for reports of gunfire and found two people dead: Jackson and 28-year-old Ethen Christopher Short, the father of her 3-year-old son, Will.
Investigators described it as a domestic incident involving two adults who knew each other and said the alleged shooter was also found dead at the scene.
Jackson's death certificate lists her manner of death as homicide.
While investigators continue their work, Jackson's family says they hope Wyoming remembers the person she was before the tragedy.
Cowboy State Daily also reached out to Short's mother to offer her an opportunity to comment but did not receive a response.
Devoted Mother First
Jackson was born in Casper in 1999 and spent her entire life in Wyoming.
She graduated from Natrona County High School and, according to her mother, Shannon Clark, found the two passions that defined her life: her son, Will, and photography.
"She wanted to be his mommy more than anything in the world," Clark said.
Jackson built Wildflower Lens Jackson Photography with the dream of making family photography affordable. She photographed weddings, maternity sessions, newborns and even Rainbow Bridge sessions for families preparing to say goodbye to beloved pets.
Photography wasn't simply a business. Clark said Jackson hoped it would someday allow her to work around Will's schedule and even homeschool him.
When photography alone wasn't enough to pay the bills, Jackson went to work as a server at the 19th Hole while continuing to grow her business.
According to Clark, her daughter had recently gotten back on her feet after separating from Short. She had a vehicle, was renting a home from her parents, had wedding bookings on her calendar and was supporting herself.
"She was making her life happen," Clark said.
Clark said she still thinks about the Mother's Day just before Jackson died. Her daughter surprised her with a silver cross necklace while wearing the matching gold one herself. Jackson was wearing that necklace when she was killed.
"She was glowing," Clark said. "She had her whole life ahead of her."
'He's Not Going To Do Nothing'
Clark remembers the early years of Jackson's relationship with Short differently than how it ended.
She said the couple appeared happy, looked forward to becoming parents, and celebrated Will's birth in January 2023.
Over time, however, Clark said she noticed changes.
She described Short as increasingly withdrawn during family gatherings and later became concerned by what she believed was escalating behavior after the couple's breakup.
Clark recounted several incidents she believes marked a turning point, including what she described as a mental-health crisis, allegations that Short peeked through Jackson's windows and disagreements surrounding custody exchanges involving Will.
Cowboy State Daily has requested investigative records related to the case, but because the investigation remains active those records are not available for release.
Looking back, Clark said one text message now haunts her.
"I told her, 'Please keep your firearm with you'," she recalled.
Jackson replied: "'Mommy, I will. I'm going to be safe. I'm not worried about Ethan. He's not going to do nothing'."
Final Custody Exchange
On the night of May 15, Jackson and Short met near the Werner Wildlife Museum to exchange custody of their son.
Around 7:20 p.m., Casper police responded to reports of a shooting in the area of East 15th Street between Beech and Lincoln streets.
Police have not publicly detailed what investigators believe occurred during the final moments before the shooting.
Clark said Jackson's father followed her to the exchange because he had a bad feeling but gave the pair some space. After Jackson arrived, he drove around the block before parking on Beech Street, where he could see the exchange from a distance.
After Jackson got their son buckled in his car seat, Clark said Short began walking toward the boy, and Jackson stepped in front of him, trying to keep him from reaching their son.
Clark said Short then shoved Jackson.
"That's when Billy stepped on it" Clark said, talking about Jackson's father.
By the time he reached the parking lot, "it was too late for Ashley." She said Billy made it to his daughter moments after she was shot and witnessed Short turn the gun on himself.
Jackson's Legacy
Clark said the greatest heartbreak now belongs to Jackson's son.
She said Will witnessed the shooting and has since reenacted what happened while trying to make sense of it.
During the Fourth of July holiday, Clark said every firecracker caused him to jump because he believed he was hearing gunshots.
"The quiet moments are the hardest," Clark said.
Today, Will lives with his grandparents.
Clark said raising him the way Jackson wanted has become her family's mission.
Friends and relatives are organizing a memorial golf scramble to benefit Will, and the family hopes to hold a candlelight vigil later this year when Jackson's oldest brother returns to Wyoming.
Clark also spoke about Guns4Good, a nonprofit initiative she said is being launched by Jackson's brother, Spencer, and family friend Shane Liberda. The organization plans to transform firearms connected to violent crimes into a source of hope by using proceeds to help victims of violence. Jackson and Will are expected to become the organization's first beneficiaries.
Friends have also established the GoFundMe campaign to help provide long-term financial support for Will as he grows up without his parents.
For Clark, though, Jackson's legacy isn't measured by memorials or fundraisers.
It's measured every morning when a little boy wakes up in his grandparents' home.
"I'm raising her son the way she would want," Clark said.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
