Police ID Suspected Gunman, Victims In Workplace Shooting
LENNOX, S.D. (AP) — Authorities have identified the suspected gunman and victims in a workplace shooting in Lennox that killed one worker and injured two others.
Authorities say 51-year-old truck driver Jeffrey DeZeeuw (dee-zee-OO’), of Sioux Falls, was found by a burned semitrailer south of Lennox following the Thursday afternoon shooting at a Sioux Steel Co. location known as ProTec. They believe the suspected gunman shot and killed himself after starting the fire.
Authorities allege DeZeeuw argued with 45-year-old worker Jon Richter Thursday morning then returned later, killing Richter and wounding 46-year-old Kathy Steever. She was in critical condition Thursday night but officials say her condition has improved.
Authorities say DeZeeuw fought with worker Brian Roesler, who was treated for head injuries and released. They say Roesler might have prevented more injuries or deaths.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
Dental records are being used to positively identify the suspected gunman in a workplace shooting in Lennox that killed one worker and injured two others, authorities said Friday.
An autopsy was being done Friday, Lincoln County Sheriff Dennis Johnson told The Associated Press. It was unclear when results would be available.
The shooting occurred Thursday afternoon at a Sioux Steel Co. location known as ProTec. The suspected gunman is believed to be a man found dead inside a burned semitrailer south of the town 20 miles southwest of Sioux Falls. Authorities did not immediately identify anyone involved.
Officials early Friday were working to determine a possible motive.
“We didn’t finish processing the crime scene until about 3 a.m.,” Johnson said.
The shooting has shaken residents who say the community of about 2,200 people is typically a quiet place.
“Nothing like this has happened before in Lennox,” Mayor Orville Wiebers told the Argus Leader newspaper. “You can’t foresee this, but you like to know you have a plan of action.”
That plan included business owners locking their doors and the school going into lockdown status until emergency officials said it was safe.
“Our students and, again, our staff members did an excellent job of following procedures in order to maintain as safe of an atmosphere as we could,” Principal Tim Raabe said.
High school student Addison Michile, 15, said some students read about the news online during the lockdown.
“It was actually pretty calm,” Michile said. “We were just not able to leave the room.”
Allan Lanfitt picked up his 10-year-old nephew from Lennox Elementary School after the lockdown ended. Lanfitt said his sister works at Sioux Steel and still was under lockdown at that business.
“She said it’s been a very scary day,” Lanfitt said.
Sioux Steel owner Scott Rysdon called the shooting “senseless.”
“Our hearts go out the families and loved ones who are affected by the tragedy that struck our community,” he said.
Lincoln County State’s Attorney Tom Wollman told KELO-TV that the incident has been difficult for the community as a whole.
“It’s going to take a lot to recover and work through this. It was certainly a great tragedy,” he said.
