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March 19, 2019

Police investigating homicide, suspect in custody

Rapid City police are currently investigating an overnight homicide which took place in an alleyway across the street from 500 East Boulevard.

At around 11:10 p.m. on March 18th, police were called to 35 Omaha Street for a third-party report of an unconscious male that was seen laying in the alleyway between Main Street and Saint Joseph Street, near its intersection with East Boulevard.

Police arrived to this location to find two men, one unconscious and bleeding on the ground, and another sitting on the ground nearby. The responding officer immediately began life-saving measures on the unconscious male.

As CPR was performed on the unconscious male, the second male (later identified as 54-year-old James Ladeaux) refused to give the officer enough room to do so. A second officer arrived and attempted to separate James from the immediate area of the unconscious male. James refused to do so, brandished a knife, and began waving it at officers. Police ordered him to drop the knife, but he was uncooperative with officer commands. Police Tasered James and were able to detain him in handcuffs.

Medical units arrived and continued CPR on the unconscious male, however, he was later declared deceased on scene.

The deceased is identified as 53-year-old Fredrick Ladeaux of Rapid City. At this time, it appears Fredrick was stabbed. It should be noted that Fredrick and James are brothers.

Based on evidence recovered at the scene, and statements made during the investigation, James was placed under arrest for Murder in the First Degree, and two counts of Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement. He was subsequently transported to the Pennington County Jail. Police continue to actively investigate the circumstances surrounding the homicide in conjunction with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.

* The charges are merely accusations and the arrested individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty.  Any additional details regarding this case can be obtained from the Pennington County State’s Attorney and/or court records as appropriate.