Teenager is Killed When Another Teen Plays with Gun

A 17-year-old male was unintentionally shot and killed by a 13-year-old in a home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The victim was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

In the 911 call, it was reported that the victim’s injuries were self-inflicted, but officials later found that 33-year-old Savannah Randle had told at least two juvenile witnesses to leave before police arrived, and “make it look like he shot himself.” After questioning those witnesses, detectives discovered that a number of young people were gathered at the home; some playing video games in a bedroom upstairs, while the suspect played around with Taurus 9mm gun, dry firing it at the victim. The victim told him to stop, but according to court documents, the 13-year-old said, “[y]ou really think I would shoot you?” and “[i]t’s not loaded,” moments before the gun fired. The bullet went through the victim’s right eye from approximately three feet away. The gun was recovered by police, and found to have been reported stolen on August 14 from an unlocked car.

Randle has been charged as accessory to manslaughter, nine counts of abuse or cruelty a minor, and false reporting. The juvenile suspect was also arrested, but police haven’t released any details about the charges.

Sources:

Cooper Seamer, “Woman, Juvenile Charged in Shooting Death of a Sioux Falls Teenager,” ktiv.com (August 22, 2024).

Tom Hanson, “13-year-old Charged in Sioux Falls Shooting,” siouxlandproud.com (August 23, 2024).