Law | National

Native Sun News: Oglala Sioux woman shot and killed by police





The following story was written and reported by Brandon Ecoffey, Native Sun News Managing Editor. All content © Native Sun News.


The shooting occurred at this hotel in Mitchell, South Dakota. Photo from Quality Inn

Lakota Woman Shot and Killed by Mitchell Police
By Brandon Ecoffey
Native Sun News Managing Editor

MITCHELL –– An Oglala Sioux Tribal member and former resident of Pine Ridge was shot and killed by an officer of the Mitchell Police Department.

Joy Ann Sherman, 52, was shot and killed by police on Nov. 8 in Mitchell. According to local news reports police were called to the 1200 Block of S. Burr Street in Mitchell after receiving reports of a drunken woman brandishing a firearm. The same reports indicated that Sherman had raised the weapon at police shortly before being fired on by police.

In a press release from the office of Marty Jackley, South Dakota’s Attorney General, an investigation has been opened by the South Dakota Division of Criminal investigation who “will issue a case report and shooting summation to be reviewed by the Attorney General, Davison County States Attorney and the Mitchell Police Department for a final determination on the officers’ action.”

The statement also said that the report is “anticipated” within the next 30 days.

(Contact Brandon Ecoffey at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com)

Copyright permission Native Sun News

Join the Conversation