A shooting death that occurred in Vermillion in May has been determined to be justified by the Vermillion Police Department and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.
After an investigation, authorities are reporting that Chase Kinchen, 38, attempted a forceful home invasion in the 600 Block of Catalina Avenue on May 14th, 2024.
Authorities say that evidence shows that Kinchen had sent a text message to a friend that he was going to “slaughter” the occupants of the home and was armed with a handgun as he attempted to enter the home.
The report states that Kinchen was in violation of a protection order that prohibited him from contacting the owner, or from entering a zone of 500 feet of the home.
When he arrived, Kinchen threatened the homeowner and a guest with the handgun. The guest retreated to a garage attached to the house and Kinchen fired shots towards the guest. The guest obtained a handgun from a vehicle in the garage and shot Kinchen in the chest and he died as a result of those injuries.
The investigation into the matter has concluded and no criminal charges will be filed.
