The death of a Rapid City teen has broken hearts across the community and spurred a call to action. Many attendees of a recent candlelight vigil ask for one thing – an end to gun violence.
Xavier White Whirlwind was shot in the head on East Fairlane Drive between Ivy Avenue and Elm Street on Monday, Sept. 2. The 13-year-old died later in the hospital.
Dominick Stands is Xavier’s father.
“I’ll remember his personality, and his little spirit," Stands said. "He had a free spirit. He wasn’t afraid to get into anything or try anything new. He had courage, braveness, no fears. Just happy. He liked to meet a lot of people and he brought everybody light.”
As the candles burn in the night for Stands’ son, parents clutch their children, many of whom are too young to understand the weight of the moment. Coursing through the event is a plea to the next generation to avoid the cycles of drug abuse and gang violence that create the need for these vigils.
That includes Waylon Stands, who helped raise Xavier.
“There’s only two ways out, death or jail," Stands said. "We don’t want that anymore. They don’t want us empowering ourselves, educating ourselves. We have the power, and it’s got to stop. Thank you all for coming out tonight. Wopila tunkasila for guiding us. Wopila.”
After sharing sage, prayer and tears, the family and community shared in song.
The Rapid City Police Department has two persons of interest in the case, 16-year-old Tyrell James Yellow Thunder and 20-year-old Loretta Bettelyoun. Both are believed to have been present at the time of the shooting. An anonymous tip can be submitted by texting the letters ‘RCPD’ and the information to 847411.