Man charged after rifle discharges, kills close friend

A 21-year-old Sioux Falls man is charged with manslaughter after a rifle went off at a gathering early Saturday, killing a close friend.

David Leonard Randle Jr. was handling the loaded gun in a northwest Sioux Falls apartment when it discharged, police said. Authorities did not release the name of the 19-year-old victim, but Randle's mother said he was a friend.

"These boys have been friends a long time," Shona Randle said. "It was an accident."

Police were called to the apartment at 4425 W. Briggs Drive, unit No. 32, at 2:42 a.m. Efforts to revive the 19-year-old victim were unsuccessful.

Several others were in the apartment at the time, and both marijuana and alcohol were factors in the incident, Capt. Blaine Larsen said.

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Neighbor Butch Thompson said he woke up to his dog barking. He saw caution tape surrounding the area and his first thought was that the neighbors decorated for Halloween. Then he saw police cars.

"You just don't think that crime would hit that close to home," Thompson said. "My wife was very frightened."

Thompson does not know the people who live in the apartment but said he often saw people going in and out, making short visits at all hours of the day.

"We don't want party houses out here, but every once in a while they slip through management," Thompson said.

Sarah Loecker lives in a unit across the parking lot from where the shooting took place. She found out about it when she was unable to get to her friend's car because it was blocked by caution tape.

"We're all pretty quiet around here," Loecker said. "It makes me worried and scared to live here."

In July, Randle was one of three people arrested after shots were fired in two residential neighborhoods. He was suspected of firing a shot that went through a garage, striking a vehicle, in the 1700 block of South First Avenue.

Shona Randle said she spoke with her son Saturday morning.

"He's in shock," Shona said. "His friend is gone."

The victim's name was being withheld pending notification of his family.

More details are expected Monday morning at the police department's 10:30 a.m. media briefing.