UPDATE - A review conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has concluded that a Rapid City Police Department officer acted lawfully in a shooting that occurred on November 1, 2024, in Rapid City, according to Attorney General Marty Jackley.
“This incident involved an individual waving and pointing a gun at officers,” Jackley stated. “Under these circumstances, the officer was justified in using lethal force.”
The incident began when authorities received reports of a man, identified as 27-year-old Jesse Warbonnett of Rapid City, pointing a firearm at passing vehicles, businesses, and pedestrians near the intersection of Haines Avenue and Anamosa Street. Witnesses later reported seeing Warbonnett enter an apartment at the Hainesway Apartment Complex.
Despite repeated commands to surrender, Warbonnett pointed his pistol at two officers positioned outside the apartment. One officer fired through the apartment’s sliding glass door, striking Warbonnett. He was transported to a Rapid City hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Toxicology reports confirmed Warbonnett tested positive for methamphetamine. The officer involved tested negative for drugs and alcohol. No officers were injured during the incident.
The DCI’s investigation included processing the crime scene, analyzing evidence, conducting forensic examinations, interviewing the involved officers and witnesses, and reviewing video footage.
The Attorney General expressed gratitude to the South Dakota Forensic Laboratory, the Rapid City Police Department, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the Hot Springs Police Department, and the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office for their cooperation and assistance in the investigation.
The full report is available here.
RAPID CITY, S.D. - A man was shot near Hainesway Apartments in Rapid City after a confrontation with Rapid City Police Department Officers.
RCPD responded to reports of an armed man near the Hainesway Apartment complex pointing a gun at buildings and people in north Rapid City.
When officers arrived the man went inside one of the apartment buildings and RCPD communicated with the man through a window. The officers attempted to get the man to surrender, however, the man refused and pointed the gun at officers through the window.
At that point, the man was shot once by an RCPD officer. The man has since died due to injuries received in the shooting.
The investigation of the incident is being turned over to the Department of Criminal Investigations.
The Trust Project
