RAPID CITY, S.D. – Police in Rapid City say for the second time in less than a week, they are investigating confirmed incidents of gunfire in the city with confirmed property damage, but no injuries.
Police say 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. The 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 to 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.
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.
