In the late hours of a Wednesday evening in Rapid City, South Dakota, what began as a traffic stop quickly escalated into a fatal confrontation. Harold Murphy, a 35-year-old White male, was pulled over by police while riding an ATV on June 4, 2014. When officers discovered there was an outstanding no-bond warrant for his arrest on an assault charge, the situation took a sharp turn.
Murphy attempted to flee from the officers, leading to a physical struggle.
During the chaotic altercation, Murphy produced a handgun and began firing at the officers. In the ensuing moments, Officer Jerrell Lewellen returned fire. Murphy was struck by four bullets and was pronounced dead at the scene in the parking lot of the Clock Tower Garden Apartments in the early morning hours of June 5, 2014. No police officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire. An investigation into the officer-involved shooting was conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.
The subsequent investigation revealed that Murphy was in possession of a. 40 caliber Glock handgun which had malfunctioned after he fired several shots. Authorities also found approximately 1.3 ounces of methamphetamine, 4 grams of heroin, 8 grams of mushrooms, and over $7,400 in cash in his possession. An autopsy confirmed that Murphy had both amphetamine and methamphetamine in his system at the time of his death. The South Dakota Attorney General later concluded that Officer Lewellen was justified in his use of lethal force.
