Western South Dakota's Only Ranch Station

Man arrested in mall scare did not have a gun

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Authorities have released the name of the individual involved in a massive police presence at Rushmore Mall in Rapid City Sunday night.

Police were dispatched to the mall around 5:00 after a report of a man with a gun threatening people at the haunted house attraction.

As it turned out, the man did not have a gun according to authorities Monday.

Police identified the suspect at 48-year-old Kenneth Woods of Rapid City. He was arrested and charged with obstruction, possession of a controlled substance and an existing warrant.

Woods was apprehended in the mall’s south parking lot in front of the seasonal haunted house attraction. Police spokesman Brendan Medina says Woods never made it into the attraction.

Woods, however, was extremely agitated and at first refused to comply with officer commands.  However, police eventually calmed his down and he was taken into custody without incident.

Police never did find a gun on Woods, although a search of his car revealed drug paraphernalia.

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Rapid City, US
6:06 am, April 16, 2024
temperature icon 51°F
overcast clouds
Humidity 79 %
Pressure 1000 mb
Wind 26 mph
Wind Gust: 35 mph
Visibility: 0 km
Sunrise: 6:06 am
Sunset: 7:38 pm

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