Friends and family of a man killed by Sioux Falls police continue to seek answers a year after his death.
Around a dozen people met at the Sioux Falls Police Department Wednesday on the anniversary of Jacob James’ death to protest his killing by a police officer and a sheriff’s deputy.
James, a Native American man, was 21 when he was involved in a fatal encounter with police.
On Aug. 9, 2022, James was in a vehicle that was involved in a traffic stop. Police said James and another man ran from the vehicle. James allegedly fired at police. Officers returned fire, fatally shooting James.
Allison Renville is the lead organizer at Dakotas for America. She said the James family had no organizational allies to lean on in the city after the incident.
“Sioux Falls, we have over 10,000 Native Americans that live in this community. But yet there is no Indian centers, there is no high-profile organizations other than Urban Indian that, you know, worry about things like this," said Renville. "There is an oversight that is completely missed because these are situations, like I said, we’re only used to hearing about happening in metro areas. And it's happening this soon after the George Floyd incident in Minneapolis.”
Friends and family of James have specific demands to achieve what they view as justice. They want to see the body cam and dashcam footage of the encounter.
Investigators released a few still images, including one appearing to show James with a gun, but not the full video.
Renville said there are unanswered questions about the incident.
Tonya is a family friend. She said at the very least police could have expressed some type of regret for the loss of a citizen’s life.
“We have nothing but the DCI report. The mother has not heard anything from them at all. Not even an apology. How do you go on like that? You know? It breaks my heart," Tonya said. "They’re supposed to be public servants. Do your job, you know? Uphold your honor, you know, your oath of honor? That’s what I want to see.”
The attorney general’s office determined police were justified in using lethal force.
When asked for comment, Sioux Falls Police Department Public Information Officer Samuel Clemens said since the shooting was reviewed, they have no other information to provide.
