Police looking for suspect in Sioux Falls stabbing

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - UPDATE, 10:45 a.m.

Police have released new details about what led up to a stabbing in central Sioux Falls, though the person of interest in the case is still at-large.

According to police spokesperson Sam Clemens, someone loaned their SUV to the suspect, 18-year-old Jerius Swifteagle, but Swifteagle failed to return it. The man saw Swifteagle driving it Wednesday evening in central Sioux Falls and flagged him down. Swifteagle pulled up to the man, pointed a handgun at him, and said he would be keeping the vehicle.

Around 8:15 p.m., a separate victim was putting air in his tires at a convenience store at 12th Street and Grange Avenue. Clemens said while he was airing up his tires, Swifteagle got into the driver’s seat and told the victim he would be taking the pickup. The victim tried stopping him, but Jerius then pulled out a pocket knife.

During the confrontation, a woman who was with Swifteagle got behind the wheel of the initial stolen SUV and began driving toward the victim. The victim was able to avoid getting hit by the SUV, but at one point, Swifteagle slashed the victim’s hand. Swifteagle then got into the SUV, which then drove away.

The SUV eventually crashed near 9th Street and Western Avenue. Clemens said the suspects went into a nearby home. The people who were inside the home, who were did not know the suspects, left the residence and contacted police. Officers responded to the home, and set up a perimeter with the help of a SWAT team, believing the suspects were still inside. Eventually, police entered the home, but the suspects were gone.

Clemens said police found a knife in the crashed SUV, but no guns.

Authorities say anyone who sees Swifteagle should call 911, but do not approach him as he is considered armed and dangerous. Clemens did not have any details about the female suspect. Police are asking anyone who has other information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 605-367-7007.

Police are searching for a person of interest in connection to a stabbing in central Sioux Falls.

Authorities say 18-year-old Jerius Josiah Swifteagle is considered armed and dangerous.

Officers responded to a report of a stabbing around 8:20 p.m. in the area of W. 12th Street and Grange Avenue. Police began pursuing a vehicle they believe was occupied by the suspects in the stabbing, according to Sgt. Robert Foster. The vehicle eventually crashed near 9th Street and Western Avenue, striking a railroad crossing sign.

Foster said the occupants of the vehicle fled into a nearby home. The people who were inside that residence - who were not associated with crime - left the home once the suspects came in. Police believed the suspects were armed with a firearm and a knife, so the Sioux Falls Police Department SWAT Team was called in.

Police eventually entered the home, but could not find the suspects. During the investigation, they identified Swifteagle as a person of interest. Foster said he was with at least one other “unidentifiable” female.

Authorities say anyone who sees Swifteagle should call 911, but do not approach him as he is considered armed and dangerous. Police are asking anyone who has other information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 605-367-7007.

No details about the victim of the initial reported stabbing have been released.