'I don't have a son. He was my son': Rashaun Guest sentenced for homicide of Sioux Falls man in 2020

A 26-year-old man was sentenced Friday for the 2020 murder of a Sioux Falls man.

Rashaun Guest, 26, of Sioux Falls, appeared Friday at the Minnehaha County Courthouse for his sentencing hearing after having taken a plea deal for first-degree manslaughter on Jan. 21.

Three hours into the hearing, Judge James Power sentenced Guest to 75 years with 20 years suspended and credit for nearly 2 years served.

He'll be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence.

Before his plea deal, Guest was charged with first- and second-degree murder along with first-degree manslaughter.

His charges stemmed from the July 26, 2020 shooting death of Lamar Hood, 31. The victim was shot "numerous times" and later died at a hospital.

Emotions high in courtroom after sentencing

The state and defense called on multiple people to give statements before Power gave his sentence.

Guest, who was raised in Chicago, had family visit from Illinois, Minnesota and Florida. They all spoke on his character, saying he wasn't a violent person.

Power noted before sentencing that Guest had no prior felony convictions or violent offenses.

Hood's family was also in attendance. His uncle, mother and two sisters along with the mother of his child spoke to the judge and Guest.

Keelon Hammond, Hood's uncle, said he raised his nephew. As he spoke he looked directly at Guest.

"I don't have a son. He was my son," Hammond said, holding back tears.

Hammond said Hood was the type of person that was always loving and caring. The last time he saw Hood he was given a gift that is now a keepsake.

"The last time he saw me he gave me the watch off his wrist," Hammond said.

While both families sat on opposite sides of the courtroom, there were some signs of respect shown between them.

Gregory Guest, Rashaun Guest's grandfather, said he understood what Hood's family was going through as he just lost a son to "street violence" himself. Before leaving the stand he addressed his grandson one last time.

"As I look at you son, you know you are loved," Gregory Guest said, "Everybody deserves a second chance."

While Gregory Guest walked back to his seat he was met by Hammond who extended an arm to him in a show of respect.

"May God be with you my brother," Hammond said to Gregory Guest.

When Power gave his sentence, some of Guest's family members began to exit the courtroom.

Shouting was heard in the hallway as people began clearing out before those still inside were told to stay in place.

Power then instructed Guest's family members to exit via the staircase as Hood's family waited to avoid any further confrontations between both groups.

Those still inside took the chance to apologize to each other for the sudden commotion.

Afterwards Hood's mother, Tammula Hardin, told the Argus Leader her family was happy with the sentencing.

"It's a big relief," Hardin said, "Justice was served"

Details on 2020 homicide released during sentencing hearing

Little details had been previously released regarding the fatal shooting of Hood, but Judge Power detailed some facts of the case Friday.

Rashaun Guest's co-defendant, and wife, Skylar Jorgensen, 24, had been in a fight with a woman that was with Hood.

The two groups of people saw each other again at a gas station where the woman who fought Jorgensen pointed a gun at Guest and Jorgensen.

At some point, Guest went home and loaded his "assault rifle," he later found Hood in a parking lot and shot him six times. Some of the shots were taken while Hood was on the ground, Power said.

Rashaun Guest then fled the scene.

First-degree manslaughter, a class C felony, carries a sentence of up to life in prison. By taking the plea deal, Guest avoided being possibly convicted by a jury of first-degree murder that has a mandatory life-sentence without the possibility of parole.

Rashaun Guest was arrested alongside Jorgensen. She is charged with accessory to a felony in connection to Hood's death.

Both Rashaun Guest and Jorgensen knew Hood. After the shooting, the pair fled the scene.

They were found at separate locations in Sioux Falls the night of Hood's death and taken into custody without incident with the help of SWAT. Multiple firearms were also recovered by police during the arrests, police said at the time.

Friday's sentencing of Rashaun Guest leaves only Jorgensen left with pending court proceedings related to the shooting-death of Hood. She is scheduled for a jury trial on June 13, according to court documents.

Got a story idea from your community? Email reporter Alfonzo Galvan at agalvan@argusleader.com or follow him on Twitter @GalvanReports.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Rashaun Guest sentenced for homicide of Lamar Hood in Sioux Falls