This story has been updated with information from the 6:30 p.m. news conference and with information from Attorney General Marty Jackley’s office.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Authorities say they’ve arrested a suspect near Beresford after he shot a police officer in western Sioux Falls Tuesday afternoon.
During a police briefing on Tuesday night, the Sioux Falls Police Department says authorities attempted to apprehend Samir Yasser Albaidhani, 25, of Sioux Falls who had multiple warrants from numerous counties, around 4 p.m.
Police say the suspect fired at officers, and officers fired back.
During the gunfire, one officer was struck by Albaidhani’s shot, and Albaidhani fled the scene, Police Chief Jon Thum said during the news conference. The officer was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Authorities say the unnamed officer has been in the city’s violent crime unit for about 10 years.
Earlier in March, Thum was part of a news conference that addressed violence against law enforcement. He said that incidents like Tuesday’s are the daily dangers officers face.
Sioux Falls Police say authorities arrested Albaidhani on I-29 near the Beresford exit. During Tuesday’s briefing, authorities say Albaidhani shot at officers before his arrest, and he was shot by officers. Police say he was taken to a hospital for treatment to his injuries.
The Beresford exit on interstate 29 is about 30 miles from Sioux Falls. The incident started around 12th Street near Western Avenue and Kiwanis Avenue.
The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office said in a Tuesday night news release that the Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating two separate shooting incidents involving Albaidhani. Jackley told KELOLAND News in an interview that 20 DCI officers are involved in the investigation.
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The investigators will work with the Beresford Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the AG’s news release said.
Jackley said Tuesday night that Albaidhani is being held for now as parole absconder. According to court records, Albaidhani was placed on parole on Oct. 26, 2024. He had been sentenced in 2019 in Minnehaha County on burglary and grand theft charges. His most recent arrest, according to court records, was for eluding, failing to stop and no proper license plates in Pennington County.
KELOLAND News has followed this story since late Tuesday afternoon.
At 4:50 p.m. Sioux Falls Police Department spokesman Sam Clemens said police were investigating a shooting incident and people should avoid 12th Street from Western Avenue to Kiwanis Avenue.
At 5:11 p.m. Clemens confirmed the shooting involved an officer near 12th Street and Elmwood Avenue.
The SD Attorney General’s Office said at about 6 p.m. that a police presence along I-29 and exit 42 near Beresford was linked to the officer-involved shooting. The AG’s office adds that the Division of Criminal Investigation is involved in the incident.
According to the SFPD call log, there was a weapons violation at West 12th Street. Traffic on 12th Street is being impacted.
This is a developing story. Stay with KELOLAND News and KELOLAND.com for more coverage on-air and online.
