Rapid City Police investigating two new gunfire incidents

RAPID CITY, S.D. — For the second time in less than a week, Rapid City Police detectives are investigating confirmed incidents of gunfire in the city with confirmed property damage, but no injuries. The two most recent incidents both happened during the predawn hours of New Year’s Day. Detectives are asking for help from residents in the area.
The first incident happened shortly before 2:00 a.m. Patrol officers in the 300 block of Curtis Street heard gunshots and tracked them to the area of Haines Avenue and Van Buren Street. They spoke to a witness who said two male subjects began firing a pistol before continuing on foot down Van Buren Street. Investigators found several shell casings in the area, as well as damage to the tire of a vehicle parked along the street.
The second incident happened about an hour and a half later near the same intersection. The person who called in the report told officers that they had been driving on Haines Avenue when they saw two males crossing the road. The witness said the two then turned, fired several shots at the vehicle, and ran eastbound on Van Buren Street. Officers noted several bullet holes in the vehicle. the witness described the two assailants as short, juvenile Native American males. One was described as wearing a black sweater and dark pants. The other was wearing a gray sweater.
Fortunately, no one was injured in either incident.
Detectives are investigating both incidents, identifying and interviewing witnesses and working to find video from the area. They ask that homeowners with security or door bell cameras review their video for any suspicious activities involving two youth matching the witness description. Because of the proximity in both time and location, detectives are also trying to determine if the two incidents are related.
The New Year’s Eve night incidents follow a

similar random gunfire incident

Friday night. RCPD Chief Don Hedrick

announced late Tuesday evening

that three suspects — two male adults and one male juvenile — had been taken into custody in that incident.
Rapid City Police say they are giving the two newest incidents their highest priority and are using “every appropriate investigative resource.”
Anyone with video or any other information about either incident is asked to contact police at (605) 394-4131, or send an anonymous tip by texting the letters “RCPD” and the information to 847411.

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