YANKTON, S.D. — A Watertown man has been hospitalized after he was shot by police at Yankton High School during a wrestling match, forcing the school to enter lockdown.
The shooting occurred at approximately 8 p.m. when the Yankton Police Department responded to the west parking lot of Yankton High School. It’s unclear what prompted the response.
While details remain few, officials confirmed that 40-year-old Andrew Jondahl suffered a gunshot wound as a result of an officer's use of force. While his condition is unclear, investigators say Jondahl remains hospitalized as of Friday afternoon.
Tony Mangan, spokesman for the office of South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, said charges are pending against Jondahl, but declined further comment, as the charges have not yet been formally filed.
The case is being handled jointly by Jackley's office and the Yankton County State's Attorney's Office.
The shooting took place during a wrestling triangular between Yankton, Watertown and Beresford/Alcester-Hudson in the high school’s main gym. Authorities confirmed that the building entered lockdown and that nobody inside was injured.
In a statement shared with parents, Yankton Superintendent Wayne Kindle thanked on-site law enforcement for their swift response and said no ongoing threat existed.
“We had a very serious incident at the Yankton High School west parking lot during our home wrestling match tonight. We went into a lock down and secured students, as well as fans in our YHS Theater,” Kindle said. “We are thankful for our local law enforcement who were on site immediately securing the incident. I have communicated with our Chief of Police and there is no on-going safety concerns for students or staff.”
School resumed at Yankton High School as normal Friday morning.
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation responded to Yankton to investigate the law enforcement agency’s use-of-force. Investigators said they’ll review all video cameras from the area and conduct a full forensic examination of the scene.
A report detailing the shooting, as well as ruling whether police were justified in their use-of-force, is expected to be released within 30 days.
The police shooting in Yankton was the fifth officer-involved shooting in South Dakota this year.
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