Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Name Not Disclosed
Age :53
Gender :Male
Race : Unknown
Date : 03/02/2025
Location : Pennington County Jail
City : Rapid City
County : Pennington
State : South Dakota
Agency : Pennington County Sheriff's Office
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Unknown
Event : Found dead in jail
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On March 2, 2025, during routine cell checks at the Pennington County Jail in Rapid City, South Dakota, correctional staff discovered a 53-year-old man unresponsive in his cell. He was pronounced dead.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.kotatv.com/2025/03/02/pennington-county-jail-inmate-found-dead/
Name Not Disclosed
Age :
Gender :Male
Race : Unknown
Date : 02/13/2025
Location : Near East Redwood Boulevard and North Chestnut Boulevard
City : Brandon
County : Minnehaha
State : South Dakota
Agency : Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office; Brandon Police Department
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Suicide under police duress
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
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/
Name Not Disclosed
Age :
Gender :Female
Race : Unknown
Date : 02/08/2025
Location : 15 Washington Street
City : Vermillion
County : Clay
State : South Dakota
Agency : Clay County Sheriff's Office; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Unknown
Event : Found dead in jail
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 02/08/2025, a woman was found unresponsive in her cell at the Clay County Jail in Vermillion, South Dakota. Authorities have not disclosed her identity or the cause of death. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the incident.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.ktiv.com/2025/02/08/investigation-underway-into-death-an-inmate-south-dakota-jail/
Rebecca Freeman-Krebs
Age :46
Gender :Female
Race : White
Date : 02/08/2025
Location : Clay County Jail
City : Vermillion
County : Clay
State : South Dakota
Agency : Clay County Sheriff's Office
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Unknown
Event : Found dead in jail
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On February 8, 2025, 46-year-old Rebecca Freeman-Krebs was found unresponsive in her cell at the Clay County Jail in Vermillion, South Dakota. She had been detained on February 5, 2025, on suspicion of domestic assault and was subsequently charged with violating a bond condition. Authorities are awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death. Freeman-Krebs was facing Class 1 misdemeanor charges, which could have resulted in up to 30 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is conducting an independent investigation into her death.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://mitchellnow.com/news/236632-investigation-continues-after-a-woman-found-dead-jail-cell/
https://www.newscenter1.tv/news/south-dakota/inmate-dies-at-clay-county-jail-state-authorities-investigating
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/keloland/name/rebecca-freeman-krebs-obituary?id=57527206
https://mitchellnow.com/news/236632-investigation-continues-after-a-woman-found-dead-jail-cell/
Zander William Zephier
Age :23
Gender :Male
Race : Native American
Date : 11/27/2024
Location : Family residence near Lake Andes
City : Wagner
County : Charles Mix
State : South Dakota
Agency : Wagner Police Department, FBI
Officer(s) : Unknown
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police under undisclosed circumstances
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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
SOURCE LINKS :
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/
Juan Jose Puente Jr.
Age :35
Gender :Male
Race : Latino/a/e
Date : 11/01/2024
Location : The Place at Hainesway on 1314 Atlas Street
City : Rapid City
County : Pennington
State : South Dakota
Agency : Rapid City Police Department
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during armed disturbance call
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
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
Kevin Ray Kirchner
Age :40
Gender :Male
Race : White
Date : 08/12/2024
Location : Highway 50
City : Vermillion
County : Vermillion
State : South Dakota
Agency : Vermillion Police Department (VPD)
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Suicide under police duress
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
A man was driving toward Vermillion and police were notified that he was suicidal, had a rifle and maybe be in violation of a protection order. Police found and traffic stopped him. When police approached his car, he reportedly shot himself and died.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.plaintalk.net/local_news/article_45745c2c-58c9-11ef-b6eb-a35c96f752b2.html
Daniel Todd Augustine
Age :26
Gender :Male
Race : Native American
Date : 07/03/2024
Location : Get ‘N Go on 14th and Minnesota
City : Sioux Falls
County : Minnehaha
State : South Dakota
Agency : Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, SWAT
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during hostage event
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
Logan Reed Cazer
Age :33
Gender :Male
Race : White
Date : 10/08/2023
Location : Unknown
City : Mitchell
County : Davidson
State : South Dakota
Agency : Davidson County SO
Officer(s) : Not disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Suicide under police duress
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
Name Not Disclosed
Age :
Gender :Male
Race : Unknown
Date : 10/08/2023
Location : Unknown
City : Mitchell
County : Davidson
State : South Dakota
Agency : Davidson County SO
Officer(s) : Unknown
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Suicide under police duress
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
Kyle Whiting
Age :25
Gender :Male
Race : Native American
Date : 05/30/2023
Location : Star Village, 100 block of E Signal Dr
City : Rapid City
County : Pennington
State : South Dakota
Agency : Rapid City PD, Pennington County SD
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police for violating court order
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
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://www.kotatv.com/2023/05/31/neighbor-says-man-killed-star-village-shooting-did-not-have-gun/
Anna Selwyn 1 of 2
Age :27
Gender :Female
Race : Native American
Date : 05/10/2023
Location : Hwy 50
City : Yankton
County : Yankton
State : South Dakota
Agency : Yankton County SO
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
Gabriel Ortega 2 of 2
Age :26
Gender :Male
Race : Native American
Date : 05/10/2023
Location : Hwy 50
City : Yankton
County : Yankton
State : South Dakota
Agency : Yankton County SO
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
Dennis “Berta” Enoch
Age :35
Gender :Male
Race : Native American
Date : 04/03/2023
Location : Lake Andes Jail
City : Lake Andes
County : Charles Mix
State : South Dakota
Agency : Charles Mix County SO
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Medical emergency
Event : Died in jail of unknown causes after arrest for disorderly conduct
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
Robert Dennis “Berta” Enoch had known mental health issues he embraced when he expressed a desire to get well. He had secured a place at a treatment center just days before his death. On the day he died while waiting for his treatment to begin, he was found in the street “screaming and yelling” and “being disorderly” according to police. Deputies arrested him. He died in jail. No diagnosis was ever publicly released and it is unknown what happened to him after the arrest that led to his in-custody death.
SOURCE LINKS :
David VanWagner
Age :42
Gender :Male
Race : White
Date : 02/06/2023
Location : 245th St+ 402nd Ave
City : Mitchell
County : Davidson
State : South Dakota
Agency : Davidson
Officer(s) : Unknown
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
Mitchell PD alleges that David Van Wagner was being sought for questioning about an alleged crime. They found the vehicle near Lake Mitchell, tried to stop the driver and when he did not stop, police escalated a chase. The vehicle fled 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.
SOURCE LINKS :
Eric James Wright
Age :33
Gender :Male
Race : Native American
Date : 02/03/2023
Location : 1601 Haines Ave
City : Rapid City
County : Pennington
State : South Dakota
Agency : Pennington County SO, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Rapid City PD, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Officer(s) : Unknown
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during hostage situation
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.newscenter1.tv/large-police-presence-at-loaf-n-jug-on-haines-avenue/
Ira Julian Wright
Age :34
Gender :Male
Race : Native American
Date : 01/18/2023
Location : Surfwood Drive and Maple Street
City : Rapid City
County : Pennington
State : South Dakota
Agency : Rapid City Police Department
Officer(s) : Unknown
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during foot pursuit
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
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://atg.sd.gov/docs/january%2018%202023%20Wright%20OIS%20Summary%20draft%205.pdf
James Mathew Murphy
Age :58
Gender :Male
Race : White
Date : 11/18/2022
Location : 330 Philadelphia
City : Rapid City
County : Pennington
State : South Dakota
Agency : Rapid City PD
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
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/
Jacob Michael James
Age :21
Gender :Male
Race : Native American
Date : 08/09/2022
Location : 2507 W 12th St
City : Sioux Falls 57104
County : Minnehaha
State : South Dakota
Agency : Sioux Falls PD, Minnehaha County SO
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during attempted
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
Police conducted a traffic stop. Police claim that Lakota man Jacob Michael James stopped, got out of the car and began shooting at police. They shot and killed him. The shooter officers were cleared just 2 weeks later by the District Attorney.
SOURCE LINKS :
Marvin Lee Moran Jr.
Age :47
Gender :Male
Race : Native American
Date : 07/26/2022
Location : 1500 block of Haines Ave
City : Rapid City
County : Pennington
State : South Dakota
Agency : Rapid City PD
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during “shots fired” call
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
Rapid City PD were called to the 100 block of Haines Ave where a man brandished and fired a gun. Police arrived and claim that he pointed a gun at them. They shot and killed him.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.blackhillsfox.com/2022/07/27/one-dead-after-officer-involved-shooting/
Glenn Nisich
Age :57
Gender :Male
Race : White
Date : 07/03/2022
Location : 1800 block of 29th St NE
City : Sioux Falls
County : Minnehaha
State : South Dakota
Agency : Sioux Falls PD, Minnehaha County SO
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during arrest
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2022/07/05/sioux-falls-neighborhood-reacts-fatal-standoff/
Cody Wade Kelly
Age :41
Gender :Male
Race : White
Date : 04/01/2022
Location : Unknown
City : Sioux Falls
County : Minehaha
State : South Dakota
Agency : Sioux falls PD
Officer(s) : Not Disclose
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during “man with knife” call
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2022/04/01/police-one-dead-after-officer-involved-shooting/
Name Not Disclosed
Age :31
Gender :Male
Race : Unknown
Date : 09/07/2021
Location : 19th Street and Dakota Avenue
City : Sioux Falls
County : Minnehaha
State : South Dakota
Agency : Sioux Falls Police Department
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Unknown
Event : Asphyxiated by police during arrest
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.yahoo.com/news/dci-rules-sioux-falls-police-201927976.html?utm_
Ty Quinton Stilwell
Age :24
Gender :Male
Race : White
Date : 05/14/2021
Location : Radar Hill Road and Morris Lane
City : Central Pennington
County : Pennington
State : South Dakota
Agency : Pennington County Sheriff's Office
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during domestic disturbance call
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.
SOURCE LINKS :
Ryan White Mountain-Soft
Age :30
Gender :Male
Race : Native American
Date : 03/14/2021
Location : Unknown
City : McLaughlin
County : Sioux
State : South Dakota
Agency : U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs
Officer(s) : Officer Amber Johnson
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during domestic disturbance call
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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.