In the early hours of Tuesday morning, the normally quiet apartment complex near 43rd Street and Larch Avenue in Sioux Falls turned into a scene of tragedy. Around 5:00 a.m., multiple 911 calls poured in reporting gunfire at the complex. When police officers arrived, they found two victims of a shooting. Among them was 22‑year‑old Tawacin KeebleHare, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The other young adult survived with non‑life‑threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
By about 8:30 a.m., authorities had detained a suspect who had barricaded themselves inside one of the apartments. According to the Sioux Falls Police Department, the suspect and the victims were known to each other and investigators believe this was an isolated incident, not a random act of violence. As of now, few specifics have been released as detectives continue notifying family members and reviewing the evidence.
The heartbreaking loss marks the 11th homicide of the year in Sioux Falls, and the third in the immediate neighborhood — a sober reminder that violence can ripple quickly through even familiar streets. For a city that prides itself on close‑knit communities, this incident offers a stark and sudden pause: a vibrant young woman gone, a family left reeling, and a neighborhood shaken awake.
Those who knew Tawacin remember her as full of life. She was described as compassionate, uplifting, and a quiet source of strength for family and friends. Her brightness in gatherings, her smile, the way she looked out for others — these are the threads her circle is holding on to now. A life ended too soon, and a gap left behind not only in her loved‑ones’ hearts but across the broader Sioux Falls community.
In the hours following the tragedy, neighbors spoke of hearing the gunfire and immediately feeling the weight of shock. Some offered blankets and coffee to the first responders; others gathered in hushed groups outside the yellow police tape, clinging to each other and shared faith in better days ahead. The sense of loss is personal because in communities like this, people don’t always stay strangers long.
Meanwhile, investigators are working methodically. They are canvassing the apartment complex, reviewing surveillance footage, and conducting interviews. The barricaded suspect was taken into custody without further incident, authorities say, but the motive remains under investigation. No charges have yet been announced publicly. The police urge anyone with information or relevant video to come forward, emphasizing that even small pieces can help bring clarity to what happened.
In the face of such grief, the community is stepping up. A vigil has been planned to honor Tawacin’s memory: friends, family, neighbors, and even casual acquaintances are coming together to share stories of her kindness and the ways she touched their lives. It’s a testament both to how much she was loved and how deeply her absence will be felt. In a city known for its resilience, this is one more moment of unity born from sorrow.
Tawacin KeebleHare’s legacy will not be defined by the tragic way her life ended, but by the love she leaves behind — the warmth she brought into rooms, the quiet support she gave to others, and the promise of hope that still flickers in the community she called home. A young woman whose presence mattered, whose voice mattered — now carried forward by the hearts of many.