SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Sioux Falls Police Department hasn’t made any arrests in connection with a Wednesday homicide, and the investigation hasn’t zeroed in on a suspect for the crime which took place close to Hayward Elementary School in the northwestern part of the city.
It’s the city’s seventh homicide of 2024. Police spokesman Sam Clemens says more than one report came in about gunshots in the 6000 block of West Tanager Place on Wednesday, with officers discovering that the same home which was shot several times just days before was again hit by gunfire.
“In that instance, on Saturday morning, it was shot 16 times,” Clemens said. “This one, I don’t have an exact number, but several is the best that I can give you. Officers knocked on the door to check to make sure people inside were okay. There was a 44-year-old man that answered the door. He was fine. And then there was a woman in a back bedroom when they went to check on her.”
An autopsy found that 27-year-old Tanisha Adalynn Bruguier of Sioux Falls died from gunshot injuries.
Thanks to courtroom proceedings and documents, the public can have a good idea who that 44-year-old man is. Michael Layne Spath II of Sioux Falls had appeared in a Minnehaha County courtroom Thursday afternoon; he’s charged with maintaining a place where people could use fentanyl and having guns despite past drug convictions. Court papers allege he was selling drugs out of his home.
Clemens says police “believe” the person who shot the home was in a car. They’re asking people in the area to check surveillance cameras to see if they have video that can help with the investigation.
“This is one of those times if people see criminal activity, if they see unusual behavior like that, we want them to call right away, not wait until detectives or officers track them down and say, ‘Hey, do you have any information?'” Clemens said.
This deadly shooting came only 10 days after another deadly shooting in western Sioux Falls at Dunham Park. Still, Clemens says the community should rest assured in their city’s safety.
“That percentage of violent crime per one thousand is remaining relatively stable,” Clemens said. “I mean, we see some little ups and downs. But I mean, Sioux Falls is still a safe community.”
