JULY 17, 2024:
STURGIS, S.D. – The 29 year old man involved in a shoot-out with law enforcement during last year’s (2023) Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis has been sentenced to 55 years in prison (July 17, 2024).
In May, Wyatt James Fluty of Saratoga, Wyoming, pleaded guilty to Attempted First Degree Murder involving a Law Enforcement Officer and Commission of a Felony While Armed with a Firearm. The judge handed down a 50 year sentence on the attempted murder charge and a 5 year sentence for the commission of a felony charge. The two sentences run consecutively.
The charges come from an incident that occurred Aug. 9, 2023. Fluty, suspected of vehicle theft and possessing stolen firearms, was spotted by a South Dakota highway patrol trooper near Exit 32 in Sturgis. Fluty shot at the trooper, who returned fire. Fluty then tried to steal the patrol vehicle, but was apprehended after being shot. None of the officers were hurt.
During sentencing in Meade County Court, the trooper who was involved in the shoot-out told the judge he has relived that day over and over and it’s taken a toll on his mental health.
An off-duty law enforcement officer from Minnesota who came upon the scene and assisted the trooper also testified. He said he’s thankful to be alive and the incident has caused him anxiety, so he welcomes the closure Fluty’s sentencing brings.
Fluty told the judge he takes responsibility for what he did and apologized to the victims and community for putting them in danger. He also apologized to his family and his mother, who was in court for his sentencing.
News partner KBHB contributed to this story.
JUNE 1, 2024:
A 29 year old Saratoga, Wyo., man has pleaded guilty to shooting at a South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper during an incident at the 2023 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Wyatt James Fluty entered guilty pleas to one count of Attempted First Degree Murder (Law Enforcement) and one count of Commission of a Felony While Armed with a Firearm. The remaining four charges were dismissed as part of a plea bargain.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says Fluty will be sentenced July 17, 2024, in Meade County Circuit Court. He faces a maximum sentence of 75 years in prison.
The incident occurred on Aug. 9, 2023 after law enforcement reported that Fluty was believed to have stolen a vehicle from Rawlings, Wyo., and was in possession of stolen firearms. Fluty was seen by a South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper near Exit 32 in Sturgis.
When the trooper attempted to take Fluty into custody, the defendant tried to flee and fired two shots at the trooper. The trooper returned fire. Fluty then attempted to steal the trooper’s patrol vehicle.
Fluty was taken into the custody by the trooper and an off-deputy Minnesota deputy sheriff. Fluty sustained minor injuries. The two law enforcement officers were not injured.
South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case with assistance from the Sturgis Police Department, Meade County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. T
The Attorney General’s Office and the Meade County State’s Attorney’s Office are prosecuting the case.
Comments