A shooting early Saturday morning, June 8, 2024, in a Sioux Falls, South Dakota neighborhood left three people dead and two others injured. Police have arrested Justin Cody Rackley, 30, who is charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Police responded to a disturbance call around 2:45 a.m. near West 58th Street and Drexel Drive, finding a chaotic scene at a bonfire gathering. Lt. Aaron Nyberg stated, “It was very chaotic for the officers. We were out there until the evening hours Saturday processing the scene.”
The victims are Kellie Elizabeth Reaves, 43, Michael Andrew Thompson, 34, and Daniel Carl Kemnitz, 43. Two other individuals suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a local hospital. Authorities have not provided details on the nature of their injuries.
Rackley has entered a not-guilty plea to the charges and is currently detained at Minnehaha County Jail on a $3 million bond. A preliminary hearing is set for June 25. “It’s too early to speak to a motive or any relationships involved,” Nyberg stated, adding that the crime does not appear to be a robbery or a crime of passion.
The shooting occurred during a gathering where alcohol was consumed, though police do not believe drugs were involved. Rackley and the victims were reportedly recent acquaintances. Detectives are reviewing video footage from the area as part of their investigation.
Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum praised the professionalism of the responding officers. “Our condolences go to the families who lost loved ones. Great work by our team responding to a chaotic situation,” he said.
Residents of the neighborhood expressed their shock and concern. Tamara Schroeder described waking up to a heavy police presence. “They had the street blocked off at 57th and Drexel and then at 58th Street. The tape was everywhere, and I had no clue what was happening,” she said.
Joe Linneweber, another neighbor, added, “There’s been break-ins; my truck was stolen a couple of years ago, but not like three murders.”
The last triple homicide in Sioux Falls occurred in 1973. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to interview witnesses and gather evidence from the scene.
Rackley, who has a prior conviction for simple assault from August 2020, faces a minimum of life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors may also seek the death penalty, given the gravity of the charges.
As Sioux Falls grapples with this tragedy, the Sioux Falls Police Department urges anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.