Crime
23-year-old Cetho Alvarez and his 44-year-old father killed after shooting at gas station in Sioux Falls
A double homicide occurred Thursday night at a gas station in western Sioux Falls, resulting in the deaths of a 23-year-old Cetho Alvarez and a 44-year-old man.
According to Sioux Falls Police Department spokesman Sam Clemens, the incident stemmed from a mistaken identity.
The 23-year-old man had been assaulted earlier in the evening and believed the individuals responsible were a group of motorcyclists.
The 23-year-old man, accompanied by the 44-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy, followed a group of motorcyclists to the gas station located at 41st Street and Sertoma Avenue. Armed with bats, the three men confronted the motorcyclists.
A physical altercation ensued, during which the 23-year-old man swung a bat at a 26-year-old individual. In response, the 26-year-old pulled out a gun and shot both the 23-year-old and the 44-year-old man who was also swinging a bat.
A 42-year-old woman, who was part of the group that confronted the motorcyclists, pointed a gun at the 26-year-old man. He shot her as well, but she survived and was treated at a hospital.
The 26-year-old man who shot the three individuals has not been arrested and is cooperating with police.
He claims to have acted in self-defense while trying to avoid being hit with a bat.
Traffic camera footage confirmed that the motorcyclists the 23-year-old man believed were responsible for the earlier assault were actually at a different location.
At least two guns were involved in the shooting incident. Police believe these were the only firearms used.
The 42-year-old woman who was shot has been identified as Darinda Janette Martinez.
An arrest warrant has been issued for her on charges of aggravated assault.
This incident is considered unusual, and police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the earlier assault on the 23-year-old man.
Tokio, N.D. – A North Dakota man has been charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder, and offenses in Indian Country following a deadly shooting on the Spirit Lake Reservation last week, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court on Monday, March 10.
Johnnie Jay Gaking is accused of fatally shooting his adult sister, Tiana Lenoir, and her 3-year-old daughter, Lokia, and critically injuring his mother, Kristy Lee, at a residence near Tokio, North Dakota, on March 4.
According to court documents, law enforcement responded to the residence and discovered Lenoir and her young daughter deceased from gunshot wounds.
Kristy Lee was found alive but suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
She was transported to a hospital for emergency treatment.
A paramedic at the scene reported that Kristy Lee drifted in and out of consciousness and, at one point, stated that her son had shot her, the complaint alleges.
After the shooting, Gaking allegedly fled the scene and later arrived at another home near Tokio, where he reportedly stabbed himself multiple times before fleeing again in a blue Ford Focus.
Residents at the second home told Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) agents that Gaking appeared disoriented and displayed what they described as “crazy eyes.”
According to the complaint, Gaking told them, “[My sister] is dead, they’re all dead, I didn’t do it.” The residents observed fresh blood on his chest and abdomen and suspected he had inflicted stab wounds on himself.
Law enforcement apprehended Gaking shortly after the incident, and he was transported to a hospital for treatment.
During an interview with authorities, Gaking allegedly claimed that men in ski masks had been stalking him and that they had forced him to kill his family.
He also denied stabbing himself, stating that he did not know who was responsible since they were wearing ski masks, according to the complaint.
A family member who lived with the victims told investigators that Gaking had been behaving erratically before the shooting.
The relative stated that Gaking had been talking about being chased by men in ski masks, had not been sleeping, and appeared to be “tripping.”
Earlier in the day, he had an outburst and allegedly threatened, “If my family doesn’t believe me that people are trying to kill me, then I’ll kill all of you (expletive) first,” the complaint says.
The same family member also reported seeing Gaking waving a gun before hearing gunshots.
He recalled Gaking allegedly saying, “You’re next, uncle,” before fleeing for his life.
Gaking remains in custody, and a hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday in Grand Forks.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.