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On 11/21/2025 at approximately 8:48 p.m., a Beresford Police Department officer attempted a traffic stop in the parking lot of the Truck Towne Travel Plaza on Highway 46. The driver of the stopped vehicle was identified as Christopher John Pearson of Aurora, South Dakota. During the stop, an officer discharged a firearm and Pearson was pronounced dead at the scene. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is conducting a full investigation.

https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/crime/2025/11/22/1-dies-in-shooting-involving-beresford-officer-dci-investigating/87418421007/
https://news.sd.gov/news?id=news_kb_article_view&sys_id=ceea217a1b9d3e10df4edb1de54bcb15

On September 19, 2025, Rapid City police attempted to arrest a 43-year-old man on outstanding warrants under unclear circumstances. Police allege that he fled on foot and was caught after a short pursuit. Officers stated that he became combative and was placed into a WRAP restraint device, spit hood, and helmet. After being taken to jail, the man was found unresponsive and died shortly after.

https://www.kotatv.com/2025/09/20/man-dies-after-being-arrested-by-rapid-city-police/
https://rapidcitypost.com/investigation-after-in-custody-man-dies-in-rapid-city/
https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/crime-courts/article_40481e17-daf7-463c-868b-344e8e9af43b.html
https://www.kotaradio.com/2025/09/23/autopsy-completed-in-rapid-city-police-custody-death/

On 08/05/2025, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services attempted to stop a vehicle associated with a weapons call near the Green Grass community on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in Dewey County. The driver, Schace Wayne Looking Horse, 31, continued driving away while officers pursued. The pursuit crossed into Haakon County, where additional law enforcement agencies joined. During the pursuit, Looking Horse fired multiple rounds at pursuing officers, striking and damaging several law enforcement vehicles. No officers were struck by the gunfire.
After his vehicle was disabled, Looking Horse entered a nearby residence, took a hostage at gunpoint, and stole another vehicle. He forced the hostage to accompany him as he continued driving away while officers pursued. The pursuit continued until the second vehicle was disabled north of Midland. The hostage sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Following the stop, law enforcement officers shot Looking Horse. He died at the scene. Emergency personnel treated the hostage for minor injuries at the scene.
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation assumed responsibility for investigating the shooting. Multiple tribal, county, state, and local law enforcement agencies participated in the pursuit and response. The South Dakota Attorney General's Office identified Looking Horse on August 6, 2025, and stated the investigation remained ongoing.

https://www.newscenter1.tv/news/local/standoff-officer-involved-shooting-haakon-county
https://news.sd.gov/news?id=news_kb_article_view&sys_id=a13fc58047dfea5022dc4080236d43bf
https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/ag-identifies-man-shot-killed-by-law-enforcement-after-standoff/
https://www.kotatv.com/2025/08/06/eagle-butte-man-killed-officer-involved-shooting/
https://www.blackhillsfox.com/2025/08/06/man-dies-after-shooting-involving-multiple-law-enforcement-agencies/

Around 12:50 a.m., Sturgis police attempted to stop a motorcyclist for exhibition riding near the Iron Horse Saloon. The driver continued driving on U.S. Highway 14A and lost control, crashing into a ditch. He was transported to a hospital, where he died the following day. This was one of four fatalities reported during the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as of August 4.

https://www.kotatv.com/2025/08/08/motorcyclist-involved-sturgis-police-chase-dies-injuries/
https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/south-dakota/rally-tally-day-6-troopers-report-2-new-deaths-14-injuries

On February 13, 2025, law enforcement officers from the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office and the Brandon Police Department responded to a report of a man threatening self-harm near East Redwood Boulevard and North Chestnut Boulevard in Brandon, South Dakota. Upon arrival, the man fired at least one shot at the officers. Police a standoff. During the standoff, the man fired additional shots. Officers did not return fire. After several hours of attempted negotiations, officers deployed gas into the residence. Subsequently, a robot was sent into the home, where the man was found unresponsive. He was presumed dead at the scene. The incident remains under investigation.

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/1-presumed-dead-in-brandon-standoff/
https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/crime/2025/02/13/man-presumed-dead-in-brandon-south-dakota-after-standoff-with-authorities/78527503007/

On 11/27/2024, U.S. Marshals executed a service call at a family residence near Lake Andes in Wagner, South Dakota. During the encounter, 23-year-old Zander William Zephier was shot and killed under circumstances that remain undisclosed. While police are still not commenting on the case as of the date of this update, it is known that he had been listed on the sex offender registry and marked as "noncompliant" with comment that his residence could not be determined. The U.S. Marshals Service is handling the investigation.
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TOTAL FATALITIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER:1 fatality
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Last updated: 12/19/2024

https://kornradio.com/latestnews/officer-involved-shooting-under-investigation-in-wagner/
https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2024/11/27/fbi-investigating-officer-involved-shooting-wagner-sd/

Rapid City Police responded to a disturbance at a Pizza Hut involving Juan Jose Puente Jr., who was reportedly holding a firearm. Police alleged Puente pointed the gun out of a window at officers, leading them to shoot and kill him. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), overseen by Attorney General Marty Jackley, is investigating the incident. They are reviewing evidence, footage, and witness testimony, with a final report pending.

https://www.kotatv.com/2024/11/01/rapid-city-man-shot-by-police-after-allegedly-pointing-gun-officers-pizza-hut/
https://news.sd.gov/news?id=news_kb_article_view&sys_id=a93b3ae247e9de50854b61d2e16d43f0

On 08/12/2024, the Vermillion Police Department received information that 40-year-old Kevin Ray Kirchner was suicidal, was armed with a rifle, and might be violating a protection order. Officers located Kirchner driving on U.S. Highway 50 west of Vermillion and initiated a traffic stop based on the reported welfare concern and possible protection-order violation.
After Kirchner stopped his vehicle, officers approached on foot. Before officers reached the vehicle, Kirchner shot himself with a rifle. Officers immediately rendered emergency medical aid until EMS arrived, but Kirchner died at the scene from the self-inflicted gunshot wound. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation was requested to investigate the incident, which is standard procedure for deaths occurring during law enforcement encounters.
Subsequent reporting identified Kirchner by name and confirmed the circumstances leading to the traffic stop. No publicly reported civil lawsuit, settlement, criminal investigation of the officers, or disciplinary action arising from the incident was located through the latest available reporting.

https://www.plaintalk.net/local_news/article_45745c2c-58c9-11ef-b6eb-a35c96f752b2.html
https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/local-news/man-dies-of-self-inflicted-gunshot-after-traffic-stop-near-vermillion/
https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2024/08/13/man-dies-after-self-inflicted-gunshot-during-traffic-stop-near-vermillion/

Daniel Augustine allegedly took hostages at a business. When Sioux Falls PD arrived, they heard shots, called the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office and SWAT. SWAAT arrived and a sniper shot and killed Daniel Augustine.

https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/crime/2024/07/03/1-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting-in-sioux-falls-dci-investigates-south-minnesota-ave/74289872007/

https://www.sdpb.org/crime-courts/2024-07-03/suspect-fatally-shot-in-downtown-sioux-falls-hostage-situation

After someone had fired a threatening shot in the home during an argument with a relative, deputies arrived, the man fled and police found him outside. When deputies approached him, he committed suicide under police duress.

https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/local/one-person-dead-from-self-inflicted-gunshot-following-rural-davison-county-incident

Davidson County deputies were sent to a home where someone had fired a threatening shot in the home during an argument with a relative. When they arrived, the man fled and police found him outside. When deputies approached him, he committed suicide under police duress.

https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/local/one-person-dead-from-self-inflicted-gunshot-following-rural-davison-county-incident

On June 2, 2023, Rapid City police attempted to stop a vehicle that refused to pull over. Police escalated a pursuit through the Omaha Street area at high speed. The vehicle crashed and caught fire, killing the driver. Officers deployed a K-9 to secure the scene, but the driver was already unresponsive. Authorities stated that no officers were injured. The Rapid City Police Department opened an internal review, and the Pennington County authorities assisted with the investigation. The department did not release the driver’s identity or the names of the officers involved.

https://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/crime-courts/rapid-city-police-pursuit-ends-in-fiery-crash-driver-detained-by-police-dog
https://www.kotatv.com/
https://www.newscenter1.tv/

Kyle Whiting and another man refused to leave a residence on police orders. Whiting had a court order prohibiting him from being at the residence. Police allege that he pointed a gun. They shot and killed him during a foot pursuit. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley cleared the officers.No officers were charged.

https://www.newscenter1.tv/news/update-one-person-has-died-in-officer-involved-shooting-at-star-village-in-rapid-city/article_42c5b9a2-ff25-11ed-85bc-0736da916c44.html#:~:text=After%20the%20investigation%20is%20complete,is%20anticipated%20within%2030%20days.

https://www.newscenter1.tv/news/rapid-city-officer-involved-shooting-ruled-justified-by-attorney-general/article_1bb41260-1c20-11ee-875e-03b545d64190.html

https://www.kbhbradio.com/news/officer-involved-shooting-in-rapid-city-under-investigation

https://chadronradio.com/rapid-city-office-kills-person-who-pointed-gun-during-foot-chase/

https://drgnews.com/2023/05/31/attorney-generals-office-dci-to-review-officer-involved-shooting-in-rapid-city-2/

https://www.kotatv.com/2023/05/31/neighbor-says-man-killed-star-village-shooting-did-not-have-gun/

Yankton County deputies initiated a chase around 10 a.m. on 05/10/2023 when a driver refused to stop for a state trooper on state highway 50 outside Yankton. Police escalated the chase to over 100 mph until the vehicle crashed into a semitruck trailer. Two people were killed and 1 critically injured in the fleeing vehicle. The couple had driven the car out of an impound lot which caused the police chase.

https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/local-news/yankton-county-releases-names-of-individuals-killed-in-high-speed-chase/

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/south-dakota/articles/2023-05-10/2-killed-1-critically-injured-after-south-dakota-police-chase-at-speeds-over-100-mph-ends-in-crash

https://www.ktiv.com/2023/07/27/sheriff-releases-update-pursuit-that-ended-fatal-cash-near-yankton-sd/

Yankton County deputies initiated a chase around 10 a.m. on 05/10/2023 when a driver refused to stop for a state trooper on state highway 50 outside Yankton. Police escalated the chase to over 100 mph until the vehicle crashed into a semitruck trailer. Two people were killed and 1 critically injured in the fleeing vehicle. The couple had driven the car out of an impound lot which caused the police chase.

https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/local-news/yankton-county-releases-names-of-individuals-killed-in-high-speed-chase/

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/south-dakota/articles/2023-05-10/2-killed-1-critically-injured-after-south-dakota-police-chase-at-speeds-over-100-mph-ends-in-crash

https://www.ktiv.com/2023/07/27/sheriff-releases-update-pursuit-that-ended-fatal-cash-near-yankton-sd/

Mitchell PD alleges that they wanted to talk to someone about an unspecified crime and found the person to be a passenger in the vehicle driven by David VanWagner. Police escalated a chase. The vehicle drove away west on 245th Street and was chased by the South Dakota Highway Patrol for about two-and-a-half hours escalating to 100 mph. Upon crashing, David VanWagner, the 42-year-old driver, was partially ejected when the vehicle rolled over into the ditch. He died. No officers were charged.

https://news.yahoo.com/sheriff-100-mph-chase-resulted-004900849.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAF59oCKHXpMS4PWJSjm2aF3SlLNdR7fT80efQhkdPSfHTXzxGbKR0mKcSHVn0UjQjisqQo80rorstl3b38RgenFy1706sE1TlH4xu0u_f3XslwLOKtLskqibNCuc6FwAXxz3gtLsasizjEe6Ec1_mQBQnY7ocqgS2pKxlHHjGEDF

Police allege that around 12:00 a call was received that an individual held the clerk at the Loaf ‘N Jug on Haines Avenue in Rapid City hostage with a knife. A bystander tried to disarm him but he regained control and continued holding the clerk hostage.
A Rapid City PD officer arrived on scene and shot and killed Eric James Wright. Police allege that he had been suicidal. No officers were charged.

https://www.newscenter1.tv/large-police-presence-at-loaf-n-jug-on-haines-avenue/

Rapid City PD allege that a man was holding a clerk hostage at Loaf’N’Jug with a knife. Police arrived and shot him dead during a foot pursuit.No officers were charged.

https://www.kotatv.com/2023/01/20/one-person-is-dead-following-rapid-city-officer-involved-shooting/

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/rapid-city-officer-justified-in-january-shooting/

https://chadronradio.com/fatal-shooting-by-rapid-city-police-ruled-justified/

https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/south-dakota/attorney-generals-office-to-review-officer-involved-shooting-in-rapid-city

https://atg.sd.gov/docs/january%2018%202023%20Wright%20OIS%20Summary%20draft%205.pdf

Rapid City PD responded to a call about someone having a mental health crisis. Police said that they encountered Murphy while holding a knife and that he ran toward the officer shot and killed him. He had been a father and military veteran.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/south-dakota/articles/2022-11-18/rapid-city-police-officer-shoots-kills-knife-wielding-man

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/officer-shoots-man-wielding-knife-rapid-city-police-say/

https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2023/01/12/ag-rapid-city-police-shooting-justified/

https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/state-officer-justified-in-shooting-rapid-city-man/article_78c0c0d4-133f-557d-9ea1-d2101c7e08b6.html

On 09/14/2022, Sioux Falls police responded at approximately 7:30 a.m. to the 3600 block of S. Willow Avenue near 41st Street and Western Avenue for a reported family dispute. When officers knocked and made entry into the apartment, a man inside fired shots toward police. Officers pulled a child from the entryway unharmed. During negotiations, the man called someone and stated he had shot a woman inside the apartment. That information was relayed to police. Officers could hear another child in the background while speaking with him. Police entered the apartment shortly afterward. The man shot himself. He was transported by ambulance to a hospital, where he later died. A woman inside the apartment was found deceased from gunshot wounds. Two children were present and were not physically harmed. Names and ages were not immediately released. Neighbors reported frequent prior disturbances and described the event as frightening for families living nearby.

https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/crime/2022/09/14/sioux-falls-police-swat-team-respond-41st-and-western/10376653002/
https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2022/09/14/police-swat-team-barricading-sioux-falls-apartment/

On 08/09/2022, members of the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force initiated a traffic stop on a Pontiac Bonneville near the Burger King at West 12th Street and South Williams Avenue after investigators reported observing suspected drug activity involving the vehicle. As the vehicle stopped, several occupants exited and fled on foot. Jacob Michael James, 21, ran from the vehicle as officers pursued him.
According to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, James produced a handgun while running and fired multiple shots during the encounter. A Sioux Falls Police Department detective and a Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office investigator returned fire. James was struck four times and died from his injuries. Investigators determined the two officers fired a total of 21 rounds, with the detective firing seven shots and the investigator firing fourteen.
On 08/26/2022, South Dakota Attorney General Mark Vargo concluded the officers' use of deadly force was legally justified and declined to file criminal charges. The Attorney General's report concluded the officers reasonably believed James presented an imminent threat after firing toward law enforcement during the foot pursuit.
James' family, members of the Lakota community, and supporters disputed the official account of the shooting. They organized multiple marches and rallies in Sioux Falls under the banner "Justice for Jacob James," challenged the state's interpretation of dashboard video evidence, and demanded release of additional records and identification of the officers involved. The officers' names remained withheld in the publicly released investigative materials.
Jacob James' obituary described him as an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe who loved music, basketball, drawing, and spending time with family. He was survived by his parents, siblings, grandparents, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

https://www.millerfh.com/obituary/jacob-james

https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/south-dakota/sioux-falls-officers-cleared-of-charges-in-firing-21-shots-at-suspect-in-aug-9-shootout-killing-him

https://unicornriot.ninja/2022/sioux-falls-native-community-rallies-for-justice-in-police-killing-of-lakota-youth-jacob-james/

On 07/26/2022, officers with the Rapid City Police Department responded to reports of gunfire in the 1500 block of Haines Avenue.
According to investigators, Marvin Lee Moran Jr. had fired a handgun before officers arrived. Police stated that when officers encountered Moran, he pointed the handgun toward them. Officers then fired their weapons, striking Moran.
Moran was pronounced dead at the scene. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the independent investigation into the shooting under the direction of the South Dakota Attorney General's Office.

https://www.blackhillsfox.com/2022/07/27/one-dead-after-officer-involved-shooting/

https://apnews.com/article/police-shootings-south-dakota-sd-state-wire-6fdeb764ba83a69dad28c1b8beab3e65

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/officer-involved-shooting-in-rapid-city-leaves-one-man-dead/

https://www.newscenter1.tv/south-dakota-attorney-general-dci-release-statement-on-rcpd-officer-involved-shooting/

Police arrived at the 1800 block of 29th St. to arrest Glenn Nisich for an earlier incident. The police state that he fired shots toward them as well as a police drone. Police killed him.

https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2022/07/05/sioux-falls-neighborhood-reacts-fatal-standoff/

https://www.thepublicopinion.com/story/news/2022/07/07/watertown-native-believed-suspect-shot-sioux-falls-police/10006660002/

https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2022/08/20/south-dakota-dci-says-sioux-falls-police-officer-justified-lethal-force-shooting-suspect/7854417001/

night to check on an individual in northwest Sioux Falls, on the 1900 block of west 6th Street, were confronted by Cody Wade Kelly whom they were called to check on, who was in possession of a knife. The officers attempted verbal de-escalation, less-lethal impact launcher, and tasers, which police say were all unsuccessful.
Officers engaged in a physical struggle and an officer shot and killed him. He had six bullets in his body

https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2022/04/01/police-one-dead-after-officer-involved-shooting/

Sioux Falls officers were sent to a welfare check on a suicidal man who was reportedly holding a knife to his own throat. Police arrived, fired tasers at him and he dropped the knife. Police physically tried to subdue him and an altercation began, leading to Kelly reaching for another knife. Police shot and killed him.

https://atg.sd.gov/docs/SFPD%20OIS%20Summary%203-31-22.pdf

https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/south-dakota/sioux-falls-police-shoot-kill-knife-wielding-subject-during-welfare-check

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/dci-to-investigate-fatal-officer-involved-shooting/

https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/crime/2022/05/20/south-dakota-dci-findings-released-officer-involved-shooting-sioux-falls-left-one-dead-cody-kelley/9855374002/

Rapid City PD state that they received a call about a possible burglary. They went to the 700 block of James Warren Drive and encountered a man who was allegedly armed and pointing a gun. Police shot and killed him.

https://www.blackhillsfox.com/2022/03/26/burglary-suspect-shot-killed-by-rapid-city-police/

https://www.kbhbradio.com/news/suspected-burglar-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting

https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Frapidcityjournal.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fman-shot-to-death-by-police-identified-by-law-enforcement%2Farticle_b2be25bc-017e-5179-be4b-4f8db44aa823.html

https://drgnews.com/2022/05/05/dci-determines-officer-involved-shooting-in-rapid-city-was-justified/

https://www.bhpioneer.com/local_news/person-killed-by-rc-police-after-pointing-gun-at-them/article_2bb998ea-ad56-11ec-a50f-33e8ec52d678.html

https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Frapidcityjournal.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fman-shot-to-death-by-police-identified-by-law-enforcement%2Farticle_b2be25bc-017e-5179-be4b-4f8db44aa823.html

https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/south-dakota/burglary-suspect-shot-killed-by-rapid-city-police-after-pointing-gun-as-dci-investigates

On 10/28/2021, officers from the Sioux Falls Police Department and Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office responded to a call about a domestic disturbance involving Elwood Joseph Dwyer Jr. who was Believe to have stabbed three people. Upon arrival, officers reported that Dwyer exited the residence with a knife and charged at the officers. Police shot and killed him. Family members of Elwood Dwyer Jr. questioned why officers did not use nonlethal measures during the confrontation. The family expressed concerns about the use of deadly force in the situation.

https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-sd-state-wire-sioux-falls-1d586911adbd82abc6d5644b65fec2b9?utm_
 

On 09/07/2021, police responded to a report of gunshots and a possible burglary at a residence on 19th Street and Dakota Avenue. The woman inside the home called police while the man was in another room. When officers arrived, the man exited the house. He left the gun inside and exhibited odd movements, and may have been intoxicated. Police placed the man in handcuffs, and while being escorted to the police car, he collapsed and died. The cause of death was ruled to be asphyxiation during the restraint, but police did not explain how this happened to an unarmed man during arrest.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/dci-rules-sioux-falls-police-201927976.html?utm_

On 05/14/2021, at approximately 3:25 p.m., deputies from the Pennington County Sheriff's Office responded to a call about an intoxicated and out-of-control family member at a residence on Radar Hill Road. Upon arrival, deputies confronted a man, later identified as Ty Quinton Stilwell, who was carrying a long gun. Deputies ordered him to drop the weapon, but Stilwell reportedly leveled the gun in their direction and ignored their commands. In response to the perceived threat, the deputies used deadly force, shooting and killing Stilwell.

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/man-shot-and-killed-by-pennington-county-deputies-identified/?utm_
 

On 03/14/2021, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) officers responded to a call involving a family member causing a disturbance at a residence in McLaughlin, South Dakota. Officers confronted Ryan White Mountain-Soft, who was armed with a long gun. Reports indicate that White Mountain-Soft pointed the gun at the officers and ignored their commands to drop the weapon. In response, the officers shot and killed him. His mother, Debra White Mountain, has publicly stated that the officers entered her home without a warrant or announcing their presence, shooting White Mountain-Soft in front of her and his brothers. The officer involved in the shooting was identified as Officer Amber Johnson. The FBI conducted an investigation into the incident, but as of now, no information about the investigation's outcome has been publicly released. The family continues to seek justice and transparency about the events that led to his death. He had been a professional boxer.

https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/professional-boxer-dead-in-bia-officer-involved-shooting-on-standing-rock-indian-reservation