SIOUX FALLS — Police arrested a 26-year-old Iowa man after gunfire erupted during a large brawl near 11th Street and First Avenue downtown in the early hours of Aug. 8, authorities said.
Large fight escalated to shooting
At about 1 a.m. Saturday, Sioux Falls officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a fight involving between 30 and 75 people outside a business near 11th Street and First Avenue, Sgt. Aaron Benson said in a statement to media. Responding officers heard a gunshot and located a 20-year-old man lying on the ground with an injury.
“We located a 20-year-old male lying on the ground with an obvious gunshot wound to the pelvic area.”
First responders provided on-scene medical aid, and the victim was stabilized before being transported to a Sioux Falls hospital. Police said his injuries were non-life-threatening.
Driver fled and threw firearm, police say
Officers observed a Mitsubishi Outlander departing the scene and said the driver initially refused commands to stop. A witness later reported seeing someone in the vehicle toss a handgun out of a window; the weapon landed in the middle of the street, police said.
Authorities followed the vehicle briefly and brought it to a stop near 14th Street and Second Avenue. The driver was taken into custody and identified as Tekeze Kalifa, 26, of Des Moines, Iowa. Investigators recovered a handgun from the street between the shooting scene and where Kalifa was stopped.
Charges, evidence and ongoing investigation
Police said they obtained several videos, provided by witnesses or posted on social media, that helped identify Kalifa as the shooter. Kalifa was booked into the Minnehaha County Jail and charged with multiple counts, and records show he was also placed on an immigration hold.
- Arrested: Tekeze Kalifa, 26, of Des Moines
- Victim: 20-year-old male with non-life-threatening pelvic gunshot wound
- Scene: Near 11th Street and First Avenue, downtown Sioux Falls
- Time: ~1 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 8
According to Sgt. Benson, Kalifa faces a slate of charges tied to the incident. Investigators described the list as including aggravated assault, aggravated rioting, reckless discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a former violent offender and other charges.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Estimated number involved | 30–75 people |
| Location | 11th Street & First Avenue (downtown) |
| Arrest | Tekeze Kalifa, 26 |
| Victim status | Hospitalized, non-life-threatening injuries |
Broader downtown safety and next steps
While police said the arrest addressed the shooting, the investigation into the large brawl remains active. Benson said several people are being considered for possible criminal charges as detectives continue to review videos and witness statements.
Incidents of large public disturbances that turn violent raise concerns for downtown businesses, visitors and residents. City officials and law enforcement often weigh additional patrols, outreach to business owners and public messaging following episodes of mass disorder. Police have not released further details on whether expanded enforcement or coordination with downtown stakeholders is planned in response to this incident.
The Minnehaha County Jail booking reflects the charges filed against Kalifa, and the case will proceed through the county's criminal justice system. The South Dakota law enforcement agencies involved are continuing their review of digital evidence and witness accounts.
Anyone with information about the brawl or the shooting was asked to contact the Sioux Falls Police Department’s tip line or investigators handling the case.
