FORT DODGE —
A Fort Dodge man who fatally shot another man after police say he retreated from an attack into his own residence will not face criminal charges after authorities determined he acted in self-defense.
The Fort Dodge Police Department said Thomas Henry Ahrens, 45, of Fort Dodge, was fatally wounded during the July 24, 2026, shooting in the 1300 block of 3rd Avenue North.
Police identified 31-year-old Josiah Byram of Fort Dodge as the man who fired the shot.
Investigators initially detained Byram at the scene and interviewed him at the Fort Dodge Law Enforcement Center while detectives continued gathering evidence and speaking with witnesses.
Police said their investigation ultimately determined that Byram had been actively retreating from an attack by Ahrens.
The confrontation continued into Byram’s own residence, according to police, where Byram fired a single shot that struck Ahrens.
Byram then called 911 himself and reported what had happened to dispatchers at the Webster County Telecommunications Center.
The shooting was first reported at approximately 1:52 p.m. Friday, July 24.
Officers responding to the 1300 block of 3rd Avenue North found Ahrens suffering from a single gunshot wound. Police officers provided emergency aid until Fort Dodge Fire Department personnel arrived.
Ahrens was transported to UnityPoint Health-Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, where he was pronounced dead.
During the initial investigation, police said the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident involving two people who knew one another and that there was no continuing threat to the public.
Detectives with the Fort Dodge Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division processed the scene, collected evidence and interviewed potential witnesses.
Investigators continued working the case in the days following Ahrens’ death, with the Webster County Attorney’s Office also participating in the review.
Police said all available interviews and evidence were submitted to the county attorney.
After reviewing the investigation, the Webster County Attorney’s Office determined that Byram was acting in self-defense when he fired the fatal shot.
No criminal charges will be filed against Byram in connection with Ahrens’ death.
The Fort Dodge Police Department was assisted during the investigation by the Fort Dodge Fire Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office and Webster County Attorney’s Office.
The case was investigated as Fort Dodge Police Department case FD26-2044.