Homicide-Death; Kellie Reaves, Justin Rackley & Daniel Kemnitz, KELO-TV, Shot Dead in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, GoFundMe: After Michael Thompson, Daniel Carl Kemnitz, and Kellie Reaves were shot and killed early on Saturday morning, the Sioux Falls community is in shock. In a Lincoln County court on Monday morning, Justin Rackley, who was arrested in connection with the killings, entered a not guilty plea to each of the three first-degree murder counts. With a $3 million cash-only bond, Rackley is being held at the Minnehaha County Jail and is scheduled to return to court on June 25.
Rackley was charged with obstruction and resisting arrest in Texas before relocating to South Dakota in 2020. It’s still unknown exactly how the situation escalated to result in the shootings, but Lt. Aaron Nyberg of the Sioux Falls Police Department has confirmed that it started at a gathering around a backyard bonfire. “It looked like a social gathering around a firepit or bonfire at the house. Until we have further information, I can’t say with certainty what everyone’s motivation is or how they relate to each other,” Lt. Nyberg said. Authorities are examining video from nearby security cameras after finding a gun at the scene. The autopsy results, which should be available in a week, will shed further light.
The fatalities have been identified as Michael Thompson, 34, of Sioux Falls; Daniel Carl Kemnitz, 43, who most recently resided in Renner and Brandon; and Kellie Reaves, 43, who had lived on S. Drexel Drive since 2014. Their abrupt and violent deaths have left the community severely disturbed. Pax Christi South Dakota is planning a vigil next to the crime scene on Monday night in order to remember the victims and provide support for their families. Community member Mary Ihli summed up the general dismay and anxiety this way: “They’re just shocked that anything like this could happen in their neighborhood.” And for that reason, they perceive their neighborhood as being somewhat dark and unsafe.”
The vigil will involve holy water sprinkling, rose petals being scattered, and prayer. Sister Pegge Boehm remarked, “These flowers are bringing the fragrance of peace to that place.” “Just like at baptism, we sprinkle the landscape with holy water, which is a symbol of restoring, renewing, or refreshing that place.” The vigil’s organizers believe that, in this terrible moment, it will help the community heal and come together. “What we really want to do is to change that darkness into light,” Ihli said. GoFundMe Page
