RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Rapid City man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for shooting another man in the head earlier this year.
28-year-old Torell Flute was sentenced after pleading guilty to aggravated assault in connection with a January 4 shooting at a residence on East Anamosa Street. The 36-year-old victim survived the shooting and was able to immediately identify Flute as the gunman.
Flute was originally charged with attempted murder, but prosecutors agreed to reduce the charge to aggravated assault after reviewing the evidence and to ensure a conviction.
During sentencing, Deputy State’s Attorney Emily Toms described the victim’s survival as a “medical miracle” and asked the court to follow the plea agreement.
Judge Heidi Linngren sentenced Flute to 15 years in prison for aggravated assault and an additional two years for illegally possessing a firearm due to a prior drug conviction. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning Flute will serve a total of 15 years behind bars.
The case was prosecuted by the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office.
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