FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2022
CONTACT: Stewart Huntington, 605-773-6878

PIERRE, S.D. -- South Dakota Attorney General Mark Vargo and the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Thursday released the summary of the July 11, 2022, officer involved shooting that occurred in Sioux Falls, S.D., 309 North Cleveland Avenue by two Sioux Falls Police Department (SFPD) Officers. The report found that a crime suspect had aimed a firearm at an officer before the officers fired and that the officers were justified in using lethal force. No one was injured in the incident.

The work of DCI agents, Crime Lab Technicians and the video and audio recordings of this incident corroborated the officers’ accounts that they faced clear and present danger and that there was potential danger to bystanders, according to South Dakota Attorney General Mark Vargo. “The safety of the public and of law enforcement personnel is paramount,” said Vargo. “The officers’ use of their firearms was reasonable and consistent with proper police work. I also want to commend the officers for their quick de-escalation of the incident by switching to less lethal tactics immediately after it was determined that the suspect no longer posed a threat.”

The Division of Criminal Investigation would like to thank the Sioux Falls Police Department and the Sioux Falls Crime Lab for their assistance and cooperation during the investigation.

The summary of the incident can be found here.

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