Sioux Falls Police Apprehend Wanted Felon After Shooting Incident

State investigation underway after officers fired weapons during confrontation with suspect

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:07pm

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State officials are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Sioux Falls, where police encountered a 36-year-old man wanted by federal authorities for violating his probation on a firearm possession charge. The suspect allegedly produced a weapon, prompting two officers to fire their guns, though no one was injured by gunfire. The suspect was apprehended by a police dog after attempting to flee the scene.

Why it matters

Officer-involved shootings are a sensitive and high-profile issue, with scrutiny on police use of force and procedures for apprehending dangerous suspects. This incident raises questions about how law enforcement handles confrontations with wanted felons and the protocols around investigations of such incidents.

The details

According to police reports, officers from the Sioux Falls Police Department encountered Richard Paul Olson, Jr., a 36-year-old Sioux Falls resident, who was wanted by federal authorities for violating his probation on a possession of a firearm by a felon charge. When Olson exited a vehicle, he allegedly produced a weapon, prompting two SFPD officers to fire their guns. No one was injured by the gunfire, but Olson attempted to flee the scene before being apprehended by a police service dog, sustaining injuries from dog bites.

  • The incident occurred on March 31, 2026 near a gas station at Russell Street and Minnesota Avenue in Sioux Falls.
  • The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was requested by the Sioux Falls Police Department to investigate the officer-involved shooting.

The players

Richard Paul Olson, Jr.

A 36-year-old Sioux Falls resident who was wanted by federal authorities for violating his probation on a possession of a firearm by a felon charge.

Sioux Falls Police Department (SFPD)

The local law enforcement agency that encountered the wanted suspect and was involved in the shooting incident.

South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)

The state agency that has been requested to investigate the details surrounding the officer-involved shooting.

Marty Jackley

The South Dakota Attorney General who confirmed the DCI investigation into the incident.

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What they’re saying

“State officials are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Sioux Falls this week.”

— Marty Jackley, South Dakota Attorney General

What’s next

The DCI investigation is ongoing, and the agency will issue a summary report once the full inquiry is completed. The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office and South Dakota Highway Patrol are assisting DCI in the investigation, while the Sioux Falls Police Department is cooperating.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges law enforcement faces when confronting wanted suspects, particularly those with a history of firearm-related offenses. The investigation will likely examine the officers' use of force protocols and the broader issues around how police handle high-risk encounters to ensure public safety while minimizing the potential for violence.