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.
Crime
River Ridge man kills wife, 2-year-old before Jefferson Parish deputies kill him
Sheriff Lopinto described the 911 call as critical to the rapid response and praised the child who called as “a brave little girl.”
Sheriff Joseph Lopinto of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) announced an ongoing investigation into a tragic incident involving a double homicide and a deputy-involved shooting early Friday morning in River Ridge, Louisiana.
Around 4:00 a.m., deputies responded to a 911 call from a child reporting multiple gunshot victims inside a residence on the 10000 block of Stephen Drive.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered a harrowing scene.
An adult female and a 2-year-old child were found unresponsive and suffering from fatal gunshot wounds.
Two additional juvenile females, ages 9 and 13, were found injured but alive.
Both were transported to Children’s Hospital.
The 9-year-old remains in critical condition after undergoing surgery, while the 13-year-old sustained a gunshot wound to the ankle.
While securing the residence, deputies encountered an armed adult male suspect, later identified as the father of the juvenile victims, in a back bedroom.
Deputies reported that the suspect brandished a firearm, prompting multiple officers to fire their service weapons.
The suspect was struck multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary evidence indicates that the suspect shot all four victims before being confronted and fatally wounded by deputies.
Sheriff Lopinto described the 911 call as critical to the rapid response and praised the child who called as “a brave little girl.”
- Deceased:
- 40-year-old mother.
- 2-year-old child.
- Suspect (father).
- Injured:
- 9-year-old child (critical condition).
- 13-year-old child (non-life-threatening injuries).
The JPSO continues to investigate the incident, including the circumstances leading to the shootings and the actions of deputies at the scene.
Sheriff Lopinto emphasized the gravity of the tragedy and assured the community that the investigation would be thorough and transparent.
No further details are available at this time. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.