DECEMBER 24, 2024, UPDATE:
Andrew Jondahl of Watertown has been indicted on four charges in connection with an officer involved shooting that occurred Dec. 5, 2024 in the parking lot of the Yankton High School.
Jondahl was indicted Friday (Dec. 20, 2024) by a Yankton County Grand Jury. He was indicted on two felony counts of Aggravated Assault on A Law Enforcement Officer, one misdemeanor count of Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated, and one misdemeanor count of Possession of a Firearm on Public Elementary or Secondary School Premises. The felony counts each carry a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. The Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail, and the Possession of a Firearm on Public Elementary or Secondary School Premises carries a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail.
An investigation by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) found that two Yankton Police Officers were justified in shooting Jondahl who demonstrated a clear and present danger to law enforcement and the public. Jondahl received four non life-threatening gunshot wounds and was hospitalized. The Attorney General’s press release and shooting summary on the incident can be found here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=2718#gsc.tab=0.
Jondahl’s bond was set at $100,000 unsecured as long as he remains in a medical facility. Upon his release from a medical facility, the bond will change to $100,000 cash only. Jondahl remains hospitalized and will be processed on his warrant at a later date with subsequent court appearance to be determined. He presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.
The case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office and Yankton County State’s Attorney’s Office.
DECEMBER 20, 2024:
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) review indicates that two Yankton Police Officers were justified in a shooting that occurred Dec. 5, 2024 in Yankton.
“This individual refused officer commands and held two firearms in the direction of the officers,” said Attorney General Jackley. “There was a clear and present danger to law enforcement on scene and to the public, justifying and requiring their actions.”
The incident began when Yankton Police were notified of a male individual, Andrew Jondahl, 40, sitting in his pickup truck in the Yankton High School parking lot. He had been escorted out of an event in the school, appeared to be intoxicated, was making threats of self-harm, and held a long gun in his lap.
When law enforcement arrived, Jondahl twice refused officer commands to place his hands outside of the truck window. When Jondahl finally exited his vehicle, he was holding two shotguns in his hands, facing the officers in a manner where he could have fired at the officers. The two officers fired 14 .223-caliber rounds at Jondahl, who received four non life-threatening gunshot wounds. No one else was injured.
Jondahl tested positive for alcohol with a blood alcohol content level of .152 percent. The two officers tested negative for alcohol and drugs.
Officers recovered two shotguns, both with live shells in the magazine tubes, and one weapon had a live shell in the chamber. Also discovered in the truck were two napkins with handwriting on them including one statement that said, “I will kill them until they kill me.”
DCI processed the crime scene, collected and analyzed evidence, reviewed forensic examinations, interviewed the officers involved, gathered witness statements, and viewed all available video.
Charges are pending against Jondahl, who is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution. The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office and the Yankton County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The Attorney General and DCI thank the South Dakota Forensic Laboratory, the Yankton Police Department, and the Yankton Sheriff’s Office for their cooperation and assistance.
This is the fifth Officer Involved Shooting in South Dakota during 2024.
DCI’s summary of the investigation can be found here: https://atg.sd.gov/docs/December%205%202024%20OIS%20Yankton%20PD.pdf.
DECEMBER 6, 2024:
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley confirms that the Division of Criminal investigation (DCI), at the request of the Yankton Police Department, is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred Thursday night (Dec. 5, 2024) at a Yankton school.
One person was injured in the incident. The officers involved were not injured.
Attorney General Jackley said the Yankton Police Department is cooperating with the investigation. Officials said there is no threat to the public but asked that that the public stay away from the scene so law enforcement can conduct 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.
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