FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : Friday, December 19, 2014
CONTACT: Sara Rabern (605)773-3215
Sisseton Shooting Incident Investigation Details Released
PIERRE, S.D – Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that the Division of Criminal Investigation has completed its investigation into the shooting incident that occurred on November 22, 2014, in Sisseton, SD.
"The witness statements, physical evidence and forensic testing indicate that Colter Arbach was responsible for the deaths of Vernon Renville Jr., Angela Adams, Candice Labelle and seriously injuring Karissa DogEagle, before taking his own life. It has been determined that domestic violence was the major contributing factor in the shooting. All five families involved, the community of Sisseton and South Dakota have suffered a tremendous loss,” said Jackley.
On November 22, 2014, a Sisseton Police Officer on regular patrol drove upon the residence at 604 4th Avenue East in Sisseton where he noticed a vehicle idling in the driveway with doors open and an individual lying on the ground near the driver's door. The Officer discovered four unresponsive individuals and one seriously wounded responsive female. At this time the Officer called dispatch for backup and assistance from the Division of Criminal Investigation was requested. A command center was set up and crime scene was secured. It was determined that two different guns were used in the shootings. There were 18 fired casings from a .223 caliber rifle and 3 expended 12 gauge shotgun shells. Also on scene were numerous .223 and shotgun rounds that had not been fired. Autopsies were performed and confirmed that all victims died of gunshots wounds. DogEagle, the one surviving victim suffered multiple wounds to her back.
Based on the totality of the investigation, it is the conclusion of the Division of Criminal Investigation and the Attorney General that Colter Arbach was responsible for the shooting deaths of Vernon Renville Jr., Angela Adams, Candice Labelle and the injuring of Karissa DogEagle.
Attorney General Jackley would like to thank that victim's families and the witnesses for their complete cooperation with local and tribal authorities in this investigation.
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