It probably wasn't self defense, but there's not enough information to make that or the opposite conclusion. There's a very good reason for not calling 911 first. Everyone in rural areas know that when you need a cop right now, and call 911, they will arrive in 30 minutes if you're lucky. What I find odd is that if you call 911 and say shots fired, threat neutralized, then those same cops magically arrive in about 5 minutes when it doesn't matter how long it takes them to get there.
I live in a semi-rural area, and it's delusional to expect a county deputy to arrive in less than 30 minutes.
I live in a semi-rural area, and it's delusional to expect a county deputy to arrive in less than 30 minutes.