UPDATE: Vermillion police release more details on deadly shooting

May 17, 2024

VERMILLION, S.D.–Vermillion Police have identified the 38-year-old man who was fatally shot Tuesday and have revealed more details about what led to the altercation.

A 911 caller reported a shooting in a residence on the 600 block at Catalina Avenue at 11:58 p.m.

When officers arrived, they found a man who had suffered a gunshot wound and began lifesaving efforts until the arrival of EMS. Although those efforts continued for 30 minutes, the man was pronounced deceased.

An investigation of the scene was conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Vermillion Police and Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation revealed that 38-year-old Chase Kinchen of Vermillion had forcefully entered a residence while armed with a handgun, which was in violation of a protection order.

Kinchen threatened the resident of the home and a guest. The guest of the home retreated to an attached garage, but they were followed by Kinchen who fired his weapon at the guest.

The guest retrieved a handgun from a vehicle in the garage and returned fire. Kinchen was shot and died of his injuries.