South Dakota DCI review determines officer involved shooting in Sioux Falls was justified

JULY 28, 2024:

A South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) review indicates that a Sioux Falls Police Officer and a Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Deputy were justified in the shooting involving a Sioux Falls gas station clerk hostage incident that occurred on July 3, 2024.

“The suspect had already fired a gun in the direction of a law enforcement officer, was holding the firearm near the hostage clerk, and was behaving in an erratic manner,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “The two officers involved were justified in using lethal force in this tense and uncertain situation.”

The incident began at 3:01 a.m., July 3, 2024, when Daniel Todd Augustine, 26, Sioux Falls, entered the Get N Go located at 600 S. Minnesota Ave. in Sioux Falls. Augustine fired two shots from a 9-millimeter handgun into the ceiling and took the clerk as a hostage.

Augustine noticed a Sioux Falls Police Officer was outside of the store and fired at the officer. The officer, who was not injured, returned fire. Negotiations were attempted between law enforcement and Augustine, who was still holding the clerk hostage and waving his firearm at both the clerk and officers.

After about 36 minutes of negotiations, and with Augustine refusing to comply with the officers, a Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Deputy fired one round from a sniper rifle, killing Augustine. The clerk was not injured.

Augustine tested positive for a toxic level of Methamphetamine, Amphetamines, and Benzodiazepines. He also had a history of mental illness reports with both the Sioux Falls Police Department and Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office.

Both officers tested negative for alcohol and drugs. No officers were injured in the incident.

DCI processed the crime scene, collected and analyzed evidence, reviewed forensic examinations, interviewed both officers, gathered witness statements, and viewed all available video.

The Attorney General and the Division of Criminal Investigation would like to thank the South Dakota Forensic Laboratory, the Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance.

The summary of the incident can be found here.

JULY 3, 2024:

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley confirms that the Division of Criminal investigation (DCI), at the request of the Sioux Falls Police Department and Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred early Wednesday morning (July 3, 2024) in Sioux Falls.

One person is deceased. The officers involved were not injured.

Attorney General Jackley said the Sioux Falls Police Department and Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office are cooperating with the investigation.

The DCI will process the crime scene, conduct a forensic examination of all collected evidence, interview officers and witnesses, and review all video cameras from the area. After the investigation is complete, the DCI will issue a shooting summary likely within 30 days.