Sept. 5, 2025:
A South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation review has determined that three officers were justified in their use of deadly force during a pursuit and hostage situation that occurred the night of Aug. 5, 2025, in Haakon County.
The incident began when Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services initiated a vehicle pursuit related to a weapons call near the Green Grass Community on the Reservation. The pursuit eventually traveled outside the Reservation, into Haakon County.
Multiple law enforcement agencies joined in the high-speed pursuit. The vehicle became disabled and the driver, later identified as 31 year old Schace Wayne Looking Horse of Eagle Butte, pulled into a rural property approximately five miles north of Midland. There, he exchanged gunfire with two Tribal officers. No one was injured, but three Tribal vehicles sustained damage.
Looking Horse took a female occupant hostage at gunpoint and stole a vehicle from the rural property north of Midland. The pursuit continued through Haakon County until the second vehicle was disabled and stopped at a rural homestead 13 miles east of Philip.
Looking Horse exited the vehicle while holding the hostage at gunpoint. A South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper fatally shot Looking Horse. The hostage was unharmed and received medical attention on scene. The law enforcement officers were not injured.
DCI processed the crime scene, conducted a forensic examination of all collected evidence, interviewed those involved and reviewed all available video. Two weapons used by Looking Horse were recovered at the second scene.
Testing of Looking Horse’s blood and urine showed he tested positive for cannabinoids, ethanol (alcohol), methamphetamine, amphetamine, norfentanyl, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine. Looking Horse’s criminal record included previous arrests for several different offenses. At the time of this incident, Looking Horse had an active federal arrest warrant for a probation violation regarding a weapons offense and was on federal supervised release status.
Blood and urine samples of the three officers who had discharged their weapons tested negative for alcohol or illegal drugs.
Law enforcement agencies that assisted were the U.S. Marshal’s Office, the FBI, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, Haakon County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Stanley County Sheriff’s Office and the Philip Police Department.
This is the sixth Officer Involved Shooting in South Dakota this year.
Aug. 7, 2025:
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating an officer involved shooting and hostage situation that occurred Tuesday night (Aug. 5, 2025) in Haakon County.
Attorney General Marty Jackley says Tuesday’s incident began when Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement initiated a vehicle pursuit related to a weapons call near the Green Grass Community on the Reservation. The pursuit eventually traveled outside the Reservation, into Haakon County.
Multiple law enforcement agencies joined in the pursuit. The driver, later identified as 31 year old Schace Wayne Looking Horse of Eagle Butte, discharged a firearm multiple times during the pursuit. Several law enforcement vehicles were struck and damaged.
After Looking Horse’s vehicle was disabled, Looking Horse took a hostage at gunpoint and stole a vehicle. The pursuit continued through Haakon County until the second vehicle was disabled. Looking Horse was shot and killed by law enforcement officers.
The hostage suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. The officers involved in the pursuit and the hostage situation were not injured.
Law enforcement agencies involved were the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, Haakon County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Stanley County Sheriff’s Office and Philip Police Department.
Jackley says DCI will process the crime scene, conduct a forensic examination of all collected evidence, interview those involved and review all available video. The U.S. Marshal’s Office and FBI will assist with the investigation. DCI will issue a summary once the investigation is completed.
This is the sixth Officer Involved Shooting in South Dakota this year.
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