Sioux Falls police chief responds to increase in 'officer-involved' shootings
An incident where an undisclosed number of Sioux Falls police officers fired gunshots at a suspect in eastern Sioux Falls on Monday was the latest in a recent surge in shootings involving law enforcement in Sioux Falls.
Police officers have fired their guns at suspects six times in the past year, and four times since March, according to Argus Leader reporting.
The suspect, later identified as Mario Reyes Rodriguez, 26, from Sioux Falls, was not struck by officers' gunfire but was later hit with a stun gun and arrested without serious injuries, police chief Jon Thum said. Rodriguez "brandished" a shotgun after police approached the vehicle he was in during a traffic stop, Thum said.
MORE: Sioux Falls has seen more police shootings within the last year than any time in 2 decades.
Sioux Falls has seen more shootings involving law enforcement within the last year than any time in two decades.
Thum, who was appointed as police chief in June 2021, said Tuesday there is no reason for the public to be alarmed at the increase in recent shootings and that it doesn't involve a change of policy.
"We are responding to actions made by other individuals," Thum said.
Of the last six shootings, three have involved the death of a person, according to Argus Leader reporting. In the three incidents where people died, the subjects had a weapon in their possession, according to law enforcement.
"Officers are being put in harm's way more and more by people who are willing to use weapons and guns against them," Thum said.
"If anything, understand that we're out there to protect the safety of the people of Sioux Falls and they should feel more than confident approaching our officers," Thum added.
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: Sioux Falls police chief responds to increase in shootings
