RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City community is reeling after a Wednesday evening shooting inside an apartment complex claimed the life of a local man, sparking an intensive investigation that has led to multiple detentions.
The quiet of a late summer evening was shattered by gunfire just after 7:15 p.m. on August 27th. Rapid City Police officers, responding to urgent calls from the 200 block of East Watertown Street, rushed into an apartment to find a grim scene: an adult male gravely wounded by gunshots. Officers immediately administered emergency first aid in a desperate attempt to save his life. Their efforts, however, were tragically unsuccessful, and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have officially identified the man killed as 29-year-old Monte Gakin, a resident of Rapid City. His death sends waves of grief through a community now seeking answers.
In the shooting’s aftermath, a major investigative force has been mobilized. Detectives from the Rapid City Police Department are working in lockstep with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and agents from the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. This collaborative effort has already produced significant leads. Multiple individuals have been detained for questioning as detectives work to piece together the events that led to the violence.
A key piece of the investigation is the collection of forensic evidence from the apartment. That evidence is now slated for detailed testing as investigators work meticulously to establish a definitive timeline of the incident. While the investigation is active and ongoing, officials have provided a critical piece of information to reassure a concerned public: the shooting does not appear to have been a random act. They further emphasize that this case is entirely separate from the ongoing investigation into the homicide of Nicholas Selig.
As the probe continues, law enforcement is urging anyone with information to come forward. Those who may have details about the case are asked to contact Detective Brendan Lenard directly at 605-394-4131. For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted by texting “RCPD” and the relevant information to 847411.