SIOUX FALLS — One person was shot by police on Tuesday afternoon during an attempted traffic stop at a northern Sioux Falls gas station.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, officers with the Sioux Falls Police Department attempted to initiate a traffic stop near the intersection of North Minnesota Avenue and Russell Street after witnessing a traffic violation.
According to Public Information Officer Sam Clemens, the vehicle pulled into a gas station parking lot. As an officer approached the car to detain the driver, Clemens said the vehicle began driving at the officer, who then fired his gun, striking the 22-year-old female driver. A second police officer was able to block the suspect's vehicle from leaving the scene.
The driver and a 48-year-old male passenger were taken to a Sioux Falls hospital. Police did not indicate that the passenger had been struck by any gunfire, and noted he suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The extent of the driver's injuries remains unknown.
In a news release, Clemens gave no indication regarding whether any officers were injured in the shooting, whether the suspect was in possession of a firearm or how many shots were fired by police.
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Per the department's policy, the officers were placed on administrative leave while the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation conducts an investigation into the use of force.
Tuesday's officer-involved shooting was the seventh time officers with the Sioux Falls Police Department fired their weapons in the line of duty this year, and the 12th time across the state.
More information is expected to be released at the Sioux Falls Police Department's regular briefing at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
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