Rapid City Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Sawed-Off Shotgun Shooting

Trevon Spotted Eagle receives lengthy prison term for East North Street incident.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a sawed-off shotgun shell casing lying on a dark, textured surface, conceptually illustrating the dangerous nature of illegal firearms used in a recent shooting incident.A recent shooting involving an illegal sawed-off shotgun has led to a lengthy prison sentence, underscoring Rapid City's ongoing battle against gun violence.Rapid City Today

A 25-year-old Rapid City man named Trevon Spotted Eagle has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for a shooting incident involving a sawed-off shotgun that took place on East North Street in the city.

Why it matters

Gun violence and the use of illegal firearms like sawed-off shotguns remain a persistent public safety concern in Rapid City, which has seen an uptick in violent crime in recent years despite overall downward trends in South Dakota.

The details

According to court records, Spotted Eagle was convicted of using a sawed-off shotgun to shoot at another individual on East North Street in Rapid City. The shooting resulted in property damage but no reported injuries. Prosecutors argued for a lengthy sentence given Spotted Eagle's criminal history and the dangerous nature of the weapon used in the crime.

  • The shooting incident occurred on East North Street in Rapid City on an unspecified date.
  • Trevon Spotted Eagle was sentenced to 25 years in prison on March 31, 2026.

The players

Trevon Spotted Eagle

A 25-year-old Rapid City resident who was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison for a shooting involving a sawed-off shotgun.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must take a strong stance against the use of illegal firearms like sawed-off shotguns to protect public safety in our community.”

— Prosecutor John Michaels, Rapid City District Attorney

What’s next

The judge's 25-year sentence for Trevon Spotted Eagle will be reviewed by an appeals court in the coming months.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges Rapid City faces in addressing gun violence and the need for stricter enforcement and sentencing for crimes involving illegal and dangerous firearms.