Authorities said a hostage situation at a downtown Sioux Falls gas station ended with police fatally shooting the suspect.
Police Chief Jon Thum said someone at the business called 911 early Wednesday saying there was an individual with a gun. During that call, an officer who was on a break walked into the building, unaware of the situation inside.
Thum said the suspect fired at the officer. The officer returned fire and took safety behind his patrol vehicle.
The suspect then took hostages. A large law enforcement presence responded, including a SWAT team.
Thum said they attempted peaceful negotiations, but failed. A Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office Deputy shot and killed the suspect with a sniper rifle.
Police rescued the hostages. No one besides the suspect was injured.
Law enforcement then entered the building and rescued the hostages.
Thum said considering the situation, the response team was successful.
"I just wanna highlight, again, great cooperation between the Sioux Falls Police Department and Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office. When a request for aid goes out or assistance goes out, we respond unified and well together to really bring about resolutions. Obviously we seek peaceful resolutions, but oftentimes we’re forced to act on what takes place in front of us. And I just again I just want to praise our cooperation and ability to work together as a team,” Thum said.
The South Dakota DCI is investigating. This is standard in any officer-involved shooting.
