RAPID CITY, S.D. — A 16-year-old boy from Box Elder has died following a shooting incident on Nov. 29. Rapid City Police Department has placed 17-year-old Isaiah Taha of Rapid City under arrest in connection with the case.
Police were dispatched around 9 p.m. to Monument Healthcare after a juvenile male arrived at the emergency room with a gunshot wound. Officers interviewed two males who had transported the victim and determined the shooting occurred inside a vehicle near Deadwood Avenue and Omaha Street.
Initial findings indicate that Taha, seated in the backseat, was handling a firearm when it discharged, striking the victim, Kade Potter, who was seated in the front passenger seat. Taha was later arrested on charges including first-degree manslaughter, obstruction, minor in possession of a pistol, receiving stolen property, and underage possession/consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Further investigation revealed that the firearm used in the shooting had been reported stolen during a vehicle burglary in October. Potter died on Nov. 30.
Due to the severity of the charges, Taha’s name has been released, as South Dakota law mandates an automatic transfer to adult court for Class C felony charges. Final charging decisions will be made by the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The Rapid City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.