Derrick Franklin, a 48-year-old man, was a resident of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His life was cut short in a fatal shooting just outside the city's downtown area in the autumn of 2026.
On the evening of Saturday, October 10, 2026, the sense of calm in the Whittier neighborhood was broken by a grim discovery. Shortly before 8:30 p.m., a 911 caller reported seeing a man lying on the ground in the 1000 block of East 8th Street, near French Avenue.
The caller noted the presence of blood on the man and on a vehicle parked nearby. The initial report was for a cardiac arrest, a detail that would soon prove tragically inaccurate.
First responders from the Sioux Falls Police Department were dispatched to the scene. They found Derrick Franklin unconscious, not breathing, and unresponsive. Fire and ambulance crews joined the officers and immediately began life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, Mr. Franklin could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene. It was quickly determined that he had sustained two gunshot wounds.
The investigation into the death was immediately launched by the Sioux Falls Police Department’s crimes against persons division, with detectives and forensic specialists from the crime lab called to the scene. The Minnehaha County coroner’s office conducted a preliminary examination and ruled the death a homicide. Investigators worked extensively on the case, with assistance from the State Forensic Lab and in communication with the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Five days after the shooting, on October 15, police held a briefing to update the public. Sgt. Cole German stated that an "extensive investigation" was underway. He confirmed that while suspects had been identified, no arrests had been made. Citing the need to preserve the integrity of the active investigation, he declined to release further details about the number of suspects or the circumstances leading up to the shooting. "Due to the status of this case, I don’t want to tip our hand further than that in an effort to preserve the integrity of the case," German said.
Police officials stated they believed the shooting was an isolated incident and that there was no ongoing danger to the general public. However, they advised residents to remain cautious and aware of their surroundings until an arrest was made. The Whittier neighborhood, where the shooting occurred, is a residential area east of the Big Sioux River, and residents may have noticed an increased police presence as the investigation continued.
As of October 2026, the investigation into Derrick Franklin's murder remains active and ongoing. No arrests have been announced. The Sioux Falls Police Department encourages anyone with information about the incident, or who may have witnessed unusual activity in the area on the night of October 10, to come forward. The department can be reached at 605-367-7007.
