SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The City of Sioux Falls has recorded 13 homicides in 2024, a large increase from the two recorded in 2023.
The past few years have seen a relative lull in homicides, with city data reporting two in 2023, seven in 2022 and five in 2021. In 2020, the number hit 13, which then-Chief of Police Matt Burns told KELOLAND at the time was the record.
KELOLAND News reached out to SFPD public information officer Sam Clemens who confirmed 13 homicides is indeed the record, dating back to at least the early 1970s.
“While there have been 13 homicides so far in 2024, each homicide investigation is independent and must be evaluated on its own merit,” said Clemens. “Reaching the record high number is not something that we want to see but it’s important to also reflect on the low numbers in-between the record highs. In 2021, 2022, and 2023 homicide numbers were in single digits and there were only two homicides in 2023.”
Below, you’ll find map of the homicide investigations. These have been scattered across the City of Sioux Falls, primarily occurring in the central and western portions of Sioux Falls. Homicides have occurred both in private residences, and in public places.
March 17, 2024
Sioux Falls recorded its first homicide of the year when a man was shot in a downtown apartment near the intersection of 12th St. and 2nd Ave.
The victim, who died in the hospital, was identified as 28-year-old Richard Sowers. 38-year-old Edward Brinkley is charged with the murder.
June 8, 2024
In June, Justin Rackley was arrested and charged with the murder of three people, identified as Daniel Kemnitz, Kellie Reaves and Michael Thompson.
The shootings took place near 58th and S. Drexel Drive in Sioux Falls at a small party around a fire pit.
August 20, 2024
The fifth homicide investigation came after police announced a manslaughter case in which a teenager was shot and killed by another juvenile. Details have not been released, but the aunt of the victim, 33-year-old Savannah Lee Randle was arrested on charges of accessory to manslaughter.
Court papers indicate Randle told the witnesses to leave the location of the shooting, which was in the area of 7th St. and N. Trapp Ave. before police arrived.
August 25, 2024
This investigation stems from a shooting in Dunham Park in Sioux Falls which killed one and injured three others.
No arrests have yet been made in this case, according to SFPD.
September 4, 2024
Sioux Falls’ seventh homicide happened when a mobile home was struck by gunshots. 27-year-old Tanisha Adalynn Bruguier was struck and killed. No arrests have been made for the shooting, but 44-year-old man Michael Layne Spath II was charged with maintaining a place where people could use fentanyl and having guns despite past drug convictions.
September 7, 2024
30-year-old Dylan Farmer attempted to turn himself in at the Minnehaha County Jail, telling police he had shot a man in the face for touching a boy.
Police let him go, saying it isn’t unusual to get false confessions. Seven hours later, a woman called police to have a man removed from her home, and when police arrived, they found 30-year-old Casey Shawn Edward Shaffer dead inside. Police say that Farmer, Shaffer and the caller all knew each other.
September 22, 2024
32-year-old Robin Swallow was arrested for aggravated assault, robbery and kidnapping and later indicted on murder charges in the death of 64-year-old Michael Raymond Colvin following Colvin’s autopsey.
Police say they were called to the area of 12th and Cleveland Ave. and believe the injuries which Colvin later died from were the result of a disagreement between him and Swallow.
October 10, 2024
Two men, 23-year-old Francisco Alvarez III and his father 44-year-old Francisco Alvarez Jr. were killed after attacking a motorcyclist in what police called a case of mistaken identity.
The Minnehaha County State’s Attorney declined to file charges against the 26-year-old shooter.
October 15, 2024
59-year-old John Mitchell was arrested for an aggravated assault which later turned into a homicide after he beat a woman so badly that she was hospitalized and wound up in a coma.
According to a police affidavit, while the victim was conscious, she told her children that Mitch had strangled her and threatened to kill her.
October 28, 2024
55-year-old Jimmie David Ledbetter Jr. was arrested and charged with 1st-degree and 2nd-degree murder after police found a woman dead in a Sioux Falls home.
According to court documents, one of the victim’s children called police and said their mother wasn’t doing well. Investigators gathered video from the neighborhood, in which screaming could be heard while Ledbetter was inside with the victim.
