Summary of SD Highway Patrol officer involved shooting released
PIERRE, S.D. — On Tuesday, the Office of the Attorney General and the Division of Criminal Investigation released a summary into the shooting of Ryan John Waldner from Spencer, South Dakota.
The shooting of the 41-year-old occurred on March 19 in rural Hanson County.
The Hanson County Sheriff’s Office and the South Dakota Highway Patrol, along with surrounding agencies, were dispatched at approximately 7:40 p.m. to a report of a male shooting in a neighborhood area. At around 8 p.m., officers arrived on scene to sounds of gunfire in the direction of the Waldner residence where it was determined he was with his spouse and two children with no working phone.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol SWAT team later arrived on scene as well at 10:28 p.m. with a Bearcat light-armored vehicle.
After calling to the residence through loudspeakers for any occupants to exit with their hands up, Waldner appeared from the house and fired two to three shots at the armored vehicle before retreating. After another shot from Waldner that struck the occupied vehicle, a South Dakota Highway Patrol marksmen then fired at Waldner which struck him in the chest.
Waldner later died on scene as a result of his injuries.
After the incident, Chief Deputy Attorney General Charles McGuigan reviewed the investigation and summary, which was deemed justified.
