6;15 pm The suspect has been located and has been arrested
UPDATE
Deadly Assault: On September 8 at 9:15 p.m., police responded to a violent assault at 225 E. Watertown Street. They found 24-year-old Michael Ladeaux unconscious in a hallway. He later died from his injuries at the hospital.
• Murder Arrest: Witnesses identified 24-year-old Joshua Thunderhawk as one of the assailants. He was arrested for Second Degree Murder and booked into Pennington County Jail.
• Second Suspect Wanted: Police are actively searching for 31-year-old Tyler Ironboy of Rapid City, who has been identified as a second suspect in the fatal assault. Ironboy is also on parole. Anyone with information is urged to contact RCPD at 605-394-4131 or anonymously text ‘RCPD’ and the tip to 847411.
Tyler Ironboy
• Additional Arrests at Scene:
• John Blackbear (55) – 2 Warrants
• Clara Poorbear (34) – US Marshals Warrant & Impersonation
• Latonna Waters (32) – 5 Warrants
• Dustin Yatsayte (34) – Parole Hold
• Crime Hotspot: Oxford Square Apartments has been the site of multiple violent incidents, including an August 27 homicide and a recent armed robbery. Police cite poor maintenance and unsecured units as contributing factors.
• Property Management Scrutiny: RCPD continues to engage with Tzadik Management to address safety and quality-of-life concerns at Oxford Square, Star Village, and Lacrosse Estates.
ORIGINAL STORY:
At around 9:15 p.m. on September 8th, police were dispatched to 225 E. Watertown Street for a report of an assault that was taking place. On arrival, police located an unconscious adult male in a hallway of the complex with significant injuries from an assault. Police rendered emergency first aid until an ambulance arrived. The male was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced deceased as a result of his injuries. The deceased has since been identified as 24-year-old Michael Ladeaux of Rapid City. Police spoke to several witnesses who stated they observed individuals assaulting the victim in the hallway before fleeing into different apartments within the complex. While serving a search warrant on an apartment believed to be related to the incident, police were notified of an unwanted subject needing to be removed from a different apartment. Police located the unwanted subject and identified him as 24-year-old Joshua Thunderhawk of Rapid City. Based on information garnered from witnesses, Thunderhawk was identified as one of the males involved in the assault. Thunderhawk has been placed under arrest for Second Degree Murder and transported to the Pennington County Jail. The investigation into the homicide is being conducted jointly with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and remains active an ongoing. Anyone with any information about the incident should contact police immediately at 605-394-4131. An anonymous tip can also be submitted by texting the letters ‘RCPD’ and the information to 847411.
During the course of the investigation into the homicide, law enforcement made contact with a number of individuals at the apartment complex. The following secondary arrests were also made as police worked to investigate the murder:
• 55-year-old John Blackbear of Allen – 2 Warrants
• 34-year-old Clara Poorbear of Rapid City – US Marshals Warrant and Impersonation to Deceive Law Enforcement
• 32-year-old Latonna Waters of Rapid City – 5 Warrants
• 34-year-old Dustin Yatsayte of Rapid City – Parole Hold
The complex at 225 E. Watertown Street (Oxford Square Apartments) has been the location of several recent violent crimes, to include the August 27th homicide and a recent armed robbery. Police have dedicated a number of extra resources to patrolling the area of this apartment complex. Police have also brought up several safety concerns and quality of life issues with the overall condition of the complex with property management at the location, Tzadik Management. This is combined with an apparent lack of maintenance, which is contributing to the ongoing crime issues at the complex. Prior to this homicide, police met with property managers to work to address these issues. Immediate concerns raised during this meeting included unsecured vacant apartments (which allow squatters and illegal activity), and management’s lack of action to address repeat unlawful behavior amongst tenants and their guests.
The RCPD continues to engage with the Tzadik Management about the issues at Oxford Square Apartments, in addition to concerns about their properties at Star Village and Lacrosse Estates, where similar issues exist.
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