Detectives continue investigation into morning shooting – SCPD #21-21984

Update on July 31 at 12:00 a.m.

The Sioux City Police Department has arrested 20-year-old Tyronn Mallory of Sioux City and charged him with attempted murder, willful injury, and going armed with intent in connection to this incident.

Mallory was taken into custody on July 30 at 9:00 p.m. by officers of Sioux City Police Department and booked into the Woodbury County Jail.

Original Release on July 28 at 3:00 p.m.

On July 28 at 6:43 a.m., the Sioux City Police Department responded to MercyOne after a 33-year-old male who was suffering from three gunshot wounds was dropped off by then unknown subjects who fled the area.

The victim was taken to surgery to treat his injuries before being able to provide a full statement to officers about the shooting.  

Detectives with the Sioux City Police Department contacted the South Sioux City Police Department to assist in looking for the car that dropped the victim off at the hospital as it was described as driving into South Sioux City, Neb.

The vehicle was located a short time later at the Budget Inn, 1201 1st Ave South Sioux City, Neb., by the South Sioux City Police Department.

A search warrant was obtained to look for evidence of the shooting in the vehicle.

Based on statements made to detectives by subjects involved with the vehicle, it is believed the shooting may have occurred in the 400 block of 14th St. shortly before the victim was taken to MercyOne.  

The victim of the shooting is still recovering from his injuries at MercyOne and has been unable to provide any further statement to detectives. His identity is not being released at this time.

A motive for the shooting is not known and no suspects have been identified.

Anyone with information on this matter is encouraged to call the Sioux City Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 258-TIPS (8477).

Suspect in Mavericks shooting arrested - SCPD 20-38938

July 16, 2021 at 3:30 p.m.

Hammond, Ind. - Members of the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force took 26-year-old Rudy C. Johnson of Sioux City into custody on July 16, 2021.

Johnson had warrants for his arrest for a shooting that occurred at Mavericks back in December of 2020.

Detectives with the Sioux City Police Department notified the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force of Johnson's warrants and sought their assistance in apprehending him.

Based on their investigation and tips received, the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force developed information that Johnson had fled to Indiana in order to avoid prosecution. The Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force notified the Great Lakes Regional Task Force in order to locate and apprehend Johnson.

Johnson is awaiting extradition back to Sioux City.

The Fugitive Task Force is under the control of the U.S. Marshal Service and the local task force includes a member of the Sioux City Police Department.

The purpose of the regional fugitive task forces is to combine the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend the most dangerous fugitives and assist in high profile investigations.

Dec. 23, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. - Suspect in Mavericks shooting identified - SCPD 20-38938

Detectives with the Sioux City Police Department have obtained warrants for the arrest of 26-year-old Rudy C. Johnson of Sioux City on charges of Willful Injury, Going Armed with Intent, Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault while Participating in a Felony, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Johnson is described as a Black male who is 5 foot 2 inches tall weighing 150 pounds. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Detectives are also looking for 20-year-old Tiara M. Norris of Sioux Falls, S.D. for questioning about her role in the shooting.

t is believed that Johnson and Norris fled to Sioux Falls after the shooting and maybe there.

The victim of this shooting, 28-year-old Krista M. Kruckenberg of Sioux Falls, is still at MercyOne being treated for her injuries. We are keeping in touch with her family, monitoring her progress, and wishing her a speedy recovery.

Kruckenberg is an employed as a waitress/bartender at Mavericks but was off that night and at the bar as a patron.

Just before the shooting, Kruckenberg was in the parking lot along with several other people observing a confrontation between two other people when the suspect, who was not involved in the fight, started shooting towards the fight.

Detectives are still trying to determine if Kruckenberg was the intended target or unintentionally struck.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Johnson are asked to call the Sioux City Police Department or Sioux Falls Police Department.

ORIGINAL RELEASE Dec. 20, 2020 5:10 a.m.

On 12/20/20 at approximately 1 :24 a.m., officers of the Sioux City Police Department were dispatched to Mavericks Gentlemen's Club for a shooting. Officers arrived on scene and observed an adult female laying on the ground outside in the parking lot suffering from multiple gun shots. Officers rendered aid to the female victim and she was transported to a local hospital.

The female victim is being treated for life-threatening injuries. The female victim name will not be released until all next of kin are notified.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed

Body identified in July 20th train bridge incident

On July 20 at 12:04 p.m., an individual was seen walking across the train bridge connecting Sioux City to South Sioux City. The person was witnessed falling into the river near the Iowa side. It is unclear as to whether the person fell, or intentionally jumped off the bridge.

Sioux City Fire Rescue and the South Sioux City Fire Department scrambled search and rescue boats to locate the person, to no avail.

On July 23 at 9:30 a.m., a boater discovered a body floating in the river about one mile north of Dakota City, Nebraska. Sioux City Fire Rescue recovered a body that matched the description from the incident on the train bridge on the July 20.

The body has been identified as 32-year-old Timmy Nawanna of Sioux City. We want to express our condolences to the Nawanna family.

Early morning shooting reported at after hours club - SCPD #21-19532

Updated July 6 at 12:00 p.m. - On July 4 at 3:25 a.m., the Sioux City Police Department responded to MercyOne for two subjects seeking treatment for injuries from a shooting. One person was suffering a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and the other had minor lacerations.

A short time after receiving that report, reports of shots being fired at the after-hours club After Set (also known as Esquire) in the 400 block of W. 7th St. were received.

Responding officers located evidence of a shooting and indications of someone being injured in the incident.

The subjects seeking treatment at MercyOne are believed to have been the victims of the shooting but they refused to cooperate with the investigation.

Detectives are pursuing leads developed based on witness statements and other evidence collected at the shooting.

Anyone with information on this matter is encouraged to call the Sioux City Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 258-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.siouxcitypolice.com/crimestoppers.

Original Release July 4 at 5:30 a.m. - On 7-4-2021 at approximately 0325, Sioux City Police responded to Mercy One for two subjects who entered the hospital with apparent gunshot wounds. A short time after, Sioux City Police were dispatched to 414 w. 7th St, the Esquire Club, for a “shots fired” call. Upon arrival, officers were able to locate evidence a shooting had occurred, and likely persons were injured from the incident. At this time, the Sioux City Police Department is conducting an investigation and anyone with information on this incident should call 258-TIPS (8477).

Suspect in shots call apprehended in South Dakota – SCPD# 21-18782

On June 27 at 2:38 p.m., the Sioux City Police Department received a report of shots being fired in the 1800 block of Grandview Blvd.

Responding officers found an unoccupied van had been shot multiple times. No one was injured in the shooting.

The owner of the van stated her estranged common-law-husband had been there looking for the van and had contacted her looking for the keys, which she refused to give to him.

Witnesses provided a description of the suspect and the vehicle he fled in.

A short time later, law enforcement officers in South Dakota located the suspect car which had been described a white Ford Explorer and pursued it after it ran from a traffic stop.

After a pursuit involving North Sioux City Police, Elk Point Police, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Dakota State Patrol, the suspect and the female driver were apprehended after tire deflation devices were used on the fleeing car.

Taken into custody were 41-year-old Anwar Maxwell and 30-year-old Tiana J. Maxey, both of Milwaukee, Wisc.

Maxey was charged in South Dakota on traffic charges related to the pursuit and booked into the Union County Jail. 

Maxwell was brought to MercyOne in Sioux City for medical treatment after South Dakota State Patrol Trooper used less lethal rounds to subdue him and for an unknown medical complaint.

Once at MercyOne, the Sioux City Police Department assumed custody of Maxwell. He was booked into the Woodbury Count Jail for felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver cocaine, drug tax stamp violation, reckless use of a firearm, criminal mischief, and a warrant from Wisc.  

Please contact the South Dakota State Patrol for further details on the pursuit in South Dakota.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Sioux City Police to participate in traffic safety initiatives this summer

The Sioux City Police Department is partnering with the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and will be participating in several traffic safety initiatives this summer to help make Sioux City roads safer.

One of the initiatives will focus on impaired drivers. The Sioux City Police Department will be teaming up with the Iowa State Patrol and Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office on June 10 to look for impaired drivers. This is part of a week-long effort in the state to get impaired drivers off the road.

The department will also be participating in an effort to increase pedestrian safety. Officers will look for violations of the law relating to cross walks. The goal is to increase driver awareness of pedestrians and crosswalk safety. Officers will also be addressing pedestrians that cross streets in unsafe manners. This project will be conducted for several weeks this summer.

These initiatives are being funded by grants provided by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau. The Sioux City Police Department is also working with the Iowa Traffic Fatality Reduction Task Force.

Iowa’s multi-discipline Traffic Fatality Reduction Task Force was created in 2021 to implement educational, enforcement and legislative initiatives to help Iowa achieve the target of less than 300 traffic fatalities annually, with the ultimate goal of zero fatalities. Enforcement is one key element to reduce fatalities. The task force is led by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Iowa State Patrol. For more information on the task force and its work, contact Pat Hoye, Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau at 515-725-6120 or hoye@dps.state.ia.us.

Suspect sought in shooting on W. 19th

UPDATE July 2 at 5:11 p.m - The U.S. Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force apprehended Corey D. Smith you in a vehicle outside of Dakota City, Neb. on July 2 around 4:30 p.m.

June 6 at 2:45 a.m. - (updated to include suspect description) On 6/5/2021 at approximately 10:22 hours, officers of the Sioux City Police Department were dispatched to the Hearthstone Apartments, 2300 block of W. 19th Street, Sioux City, IA for a shooting.

Officers arrived on scene and observed an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his lower part of his body. Officers rendered aid to the male victim and the victim was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released a short time later.

The shooter has been identified as 22-year-old Corey Deonte Smith of Sioux City, IA. Smith is considered armed and dangerous. Smith is 5 foot 11 inches, weighs 160 lbs, and has tattoos on his arms, chest, and neck.

The victim's name will not release until after 24 hours.

The investigation is still ongoing and no further information will be released at this time.

*Information contained in this release is considered an accusation and any one listed is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Corey D. Smith

Fatal motorcycle on May 11 at 3290 N. Martha - SCPD #21-13654

Update May 13 at 8:00 a.m. - Investigators with the Sioux City Police Department identified 28-year-old Danny J. Sams of Sioux City as the victim of the single vehicle accident on May 11 at 3290 N. Martha St.

We wish to express our sympathies to his family for their loss.

A 33-year-old female was also injured in the accident and taken to a local hospital to be treated for her injuries. Her name is not being released at this time.

Traffic accident investigators are continuing their investigation into the accident.

Original Release on May 12 at 2:30 a.m. - Investigation into fatal accident at 3290 North Martha St. is on going - SCPD #21-13654

The Sioux City Police Department responded to a accident involving injuries on May 11 at 10:33 p.m. at 3290 North Martha St. involving a motorcycle and a mobile home.

Responding officers found that a 1988 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by a 28-year-old man had been driving eastbound at the Tallview Trailer Court and struck a new mobile home that was parked on the side of the road awaiting to be placed in a lot. After the collision there was a fire that burned the motorcycle and the rear portion of the mobile home. SCFD extinguished the fire and the male driver was transported to the hospital.

The male driver died due to the injuries sustained from the accident.

Traffic Investigators with the department are investigating contributing circumstances of the accident.

At this time, no charges have been filed as the investigation into the accident is ongoing.

The names of the parties involved are not being released at this time.

May 1st homicide investigation - #21-12511

Updated May 3, 2021 at 9:55 a.m. - The Sioux City Police Department has identified 22-year-old Martez L. Harrison of Sioux City as the victim in this weekend’s murder.

We wish to express our sympathies to his family for their loss.

Arrested was 17-year-old Dwight C. Evans of Sioux City who was charged with 1st degree murder, going armed with intent, possession of a controlled substance – marijuana, failure to affix a tax stamp, and assault while participating in a felony. He has been charged as an adult.

Also arrested was 20-year-old Lawrence G. Canady of Sioux City who was charged with willful injury, assault while participating in a felony, assault causing bodily injury or mental illness, and using a juvenile to commit an indictable offense.

The investigation found that Harrison was outside of a bar in the 1400 block of W. 3rd St. waiting for a ride when a verbal altercation started between himself and Canady.

When Harrison’s girlfriend arrived to pick him up, Canady assaulted her and Harrison attempted to intervene.

As Harrison and Canady engaged in a physical altercation, Evans began firing a handgun at Harrison and shot him at close range. Canady continued striking Harrison after he had been shot and was lying on the ground.

Canady and Evens fled the scene and were located later in the morning by officers.

A gun was seized during Evans’ arrest.

During a search of Evans residence, 100g of marijuana was also seized.

The investigation into the murder of Harrison is ongoing.

Original on May 1, 2021 at 6:10 a.m. - On 5/1/21 at approximately 1 :02 AM, officers of the Sioux City Police Department were dispatched to Uncle Dave's Bar for shots fired.

Officers arrived on scene and observed a male lying in the street suffering from a single gunshot wound. Officers rendered aid to the male and he was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

At 4:33 AM, officers received information of a male matching the description of the shooter in the 1100 block of W. 21st street. Officers located a male and a handgun.

A 17-year-oldjuvenile male was taken into custody and booked for Murder 1st, Willful Injury, Assault while participating in a felony, and Going armed with intent.

The investigation into this incident is on-going and the name of the deceased is not being released until 24 hours after notification of next-of-kin.

SCPD unveils Mental Health Awareness themed car

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month which is observed during the month of May, the Sioux City Police Department has adorned one of its cars with a green ribbon which is the symbol of mental health awareness and the slogan “arresting the stigma”.

“As an agency that frequently encounters people suffering from mental illness, we felt it was important to show our understanding and support,” said Chief Rex Mueller.

The department has been a leader in changing how it approaches situations involving subjects with mental health issues. Not only has it changed the training officers are provided in recognizing and understanding mental health issues, but it has also partnered with other agencies that specialize in responding to and working with people with mental health issues.

“Our partnership with the Mobile Crisis Assessment Team has been in valuable in diverting people in crisis or severe mental health issues from the jail or emergency departments to appropriate care facilities,” explained Mueller.

Someone that is in crisis can call 855-581-8111 or text 855-895-8398.

For more information on the department’s partnership with the Mobile Crisis Unit, visit http://www.siouxcitypolice.com/news/2020/6/19/scpd-teams-up-with-mental-health-professionals-to-serve-those-in-crisis

SCPD investigating murder on S. Mulberry St. – SCPD #21-12283

April 30, 10:00 a.m. - Names released from murder investigation on S. Mulberry St.

The Sioux City Police Department has identified the subjects found deceased at 2512 S. Mulberry as 52-year-old Kelli L. Socknat and 60-year-old Nicholas R. Socknat both of Sioux City. We wish to express our sympathies to the family of the Socknats for their loss. Socknats were married and lived at the residence together.

Detectives are awaiting a determination by the State Medical Examiner, but evidence collected at the scene indicated that Nicholas may be responsible for Kelli’s death and that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

April 29 at 1:45 p.m. - On April 29 at 9:24 a.m., the Sioux City Police Department responded to a report of a deceased person in a residence in the 2500 block of S. Mulberry.

Responding officers located an adult male and adult female that were deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.

The incident is being investigated as a homicide.

Detectives investigating the scene believe that they have identified all the parties involved and are not seeking any other persons or suspects in connection to this and the public is not in any danger.  

The investigation into this incident is on-going and the names of the deceased are not being released until 24 hours after notification of next-of-kin.

Two men arrested in connection to Sioux Falls robbery and Sioux City burglary – SCPD #21-9026

On April 9 at 12:10 p.m. a Woodbury County Deputy located a stolen 2010 Chrysler Town and Country minivan in the 4300 block of Stone Ave.  

The minivan was stolen during a robbery on March 25 in Sioux Falls, S.D. by a man armed with a handgun.

When the deputy approached the vehicle, a subject exited and ran. He was apprehended a short distance later.

The subject apprehended was identified as 18-year-old Chase B. Van Hofwegen of Sioux City.

Detectives with the Sioux City Police Department had been investigating Chase Van Hofwegen and his twin brother 18-year-old Chance Van Hofwegen of Sioux City in connection to the burglary of Select Mart, 4103 Floyd Blvd, on March 29.

Detectives located Chance in a residence 5309 Hwy 75n. lot 320 when they served a search warrant in connection to the Sioux Falls robbery and the Sioux City burglary.

During the search of the Van Hofwegen residence, detectives recovered $17,000 worth of stolen merchandise from Select Mart.

Chase Van Hofwegen was charged with Eluding a 1st degree Theft, 2nd degree Theft, and Eluding a Peace Officer.

Chance Van Hof Wegen was charged with 1st degree theft and 2nd degree Theft.

Both men were booked into Woodbury County Jail.

The investigations into the robbery and burglary are on-going.

Banks arrested in Alabama for Blackbird murder warrant

Prichard, Ala. - Members of the Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force took into custody 36-year-old Roderick D. Banks on Feb. 8 in Prichard, Ala. without incident.

Banks had a warrant for his arrest charging him with the Nov. 1 murder of Solomon Blackbird in Sioux City, Iowa.

Blackbird was found suffering from a gunshot wound in the 2600 block of Douglas St. on Nov. 1 at 6:46 p.m. He was transported to MercyOne where he succumbed to his wound. The motive is possibly related to a drug deal between the two men. 

Detectives with the Sioux City Police Department notified the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force of Bank’s warrant and sought their assistance in apprehending him.

Based on their investigation and tips received, the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force developed information that Banks had fled to Alabama in order to avoid prosecution and notified the Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force in order to locate and apprehend Banks.

Banks is awaiting extradition back to Sioux City.

The Fugitive Task Force is under the control of the U.S. Marshal Service and the local task force includes a member of the Sioux City Police Department.

The purpose of the regional fugitive task forces is to combine the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend the most dangerous fugitives and assist in high profile investigations.

The department’s partnership with the U.S. Marshal Service helps ensure that fugitives that commit violent acts in Sioux City are held accountable for their actions no matter where they try to flee and hide.  

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Updates on the murder of Mia Kritis and the shooting on Walker St.

Last updated Jan. 26, 2021

Woman who was the driver in Walker St. shooting taken into custody

The woman who acted as the driver for the three men who fired weapons into a house in the 2600 block of Walker St. that took one person’s life and injured three others, surrendered today at 2:29 p.m. and was booked into the Woodbury County Jail.

The County Attorney’s office has charged 20-year-old Liliana O. Gutierrez with three counts of reckless use of a firearm and one count of intimidation of a dangerous weapon for her part in the Jan. 1 murder of Mia Kritis.

There is no evidence showing that Gutierrez fired any of the weapons involved and appears to only have acted as the driver.

Detectives with the department continue to seek additional evidence involved in the shooting and charges will be filed against anyone who has or is taking part in concealing that evidence. 

Anyone with additional information on this investigation is encouraged to call the Sioux City Police Department.

Jan 13, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. - Additional suspects taken into custody for Walker St. Shooting

On Jan. 13 the Sioux City Police Department arrested two additional men for the murder of Mia Kritis.

Detectives are charging 18-year-old Carlos Morales of Sioux City and 18-year-old Anthony S. Bauer aka Tony Diaz with 1st Degree Murder, Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, Going Armed with Intent, and three counts Reckless Use of Firearm.

Carlos Morales and Bauer were taken into custody after officers located them at 4:25 p.m. in a car in the 3100 block of Floyd Blvd.

Detectives are not seeking any additional suspects but still are looking for people that were at the party at the time of shooting and anyone else with information.

Two other subjects in the car were detained as part of the investigation and released without charges.

Jan. 11, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. - Murder charge filed in Walker St. Shooting

The Woodbury County Attorney has charged 19-year-old Christopher I. Morales of Sioux City with 1st Degree Murder for the death of Mia Kritis after he fired a gun into a house on Jan. 1 in the 2600 block of Walker St.

Three other people were struck by the gun fire and are recovering from the wounds they received during the shooting.

Additional charges of Going Armed with Intent and three counts of Reckless Use of a Firearm were also filed against Morales.

Detectives are still working on identifying other subjects involved and no other people have been charged in connection with the shooting at the time of this release.

Update on Jan. 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. - Arrest made in connection with Walker St. Homicide

Detectives with the Sioux City Police Department have charged 19-year-old Christopher I. Morales with Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon and Going Armed with Intent in connection to the Jan. 1 shooting in the 2600 block of Walker St that left one woman dead and three other people injured.

Morales was arrested on Jan. 3 at 3:46 p.m. in the 1900 block of Douglas St. when he attempted to flee officers after they approached him. Once in custody, they found him to be in possession of a firearm. He was charged with Felon in Possession of Firearm, Unlawful Carry of Weapons, and Interference with Official Acts.

Based on that arrest and seizure of the firearm, detectives were able to connect Morales and the firearm to the shooting on Walker St where a subject was forced to walk into the residence by Morales and additional suspects before they fired into the house with 9 mm caliber handguns and an assault style rifle.

Additional charges are pending based on the results of forensic examinations of evidence collected at the scene.

Detectives are still searching for information on additional suspects that were involved in the shooting and are asking anyone with information to please contact the Sioux City Police Department.

Update on Jan. 3, 2021 at 3:15 p.m. Name of Walker St homicide victim

The Sioux City Police Department identified 18-year-old Mia Alexis-Marie Kritis of Sioux City as the victim of the homicide that occurred on Jan. 1 in the 2600 block of Walker St.

We wish to express our deepest sympathies to her family and friends for their loss.

The names of other victims injured in this incident are not being released at this time as they are juveniles but all are recovering from their injuries.

Detectives are continuing to follow up on several leads and ask that anyone that was at the residence at the time of the shooting to please contact the Sioux City Police Department.

We want to reassure any witnesses that they face no charges for attending an underage party and our priority is the investigation of the senseless murder of Ms. Kritis. 

Jan. 1, 2021 5:15 a.m. Original Release

On 12:49 am Friday, January 1st, 2021 the Sioux City Police Department received reports of a shots fired in the 2600 block of South Walker Street in Sioux City. Upon arrival, officers were able to determine that multiple shots had been fired into the residence at 2637 South Walker Street. Upon entering the property, officers located victims inside the residence, including an 18-year-old female who had suffered a fatal gunshot wound.

There were several other victims that were also struck by gunfire, and are being treated at Sioux City hospitals. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Police are asking for assistance from the public. If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Sioux City Police Department.

Detectives investigating early Sunday morning shooting outside club

On Aug. 16, at about 2:55 am, officers with the Sioux City Police Department heard shots being fired in the 400 block of W. 7th St.

Officer searched the area and located an adult male with a non-life threatening gunshot wound outside of the After Set Club (also referred to as Esquire), 414 W. 7th St.

Responding officers attempted to provide medical aide to the victim however, they were met with physical resistance form a crowd that had formed. Some members of the crowd threw rocks at officers as they attempted to secure the crime scene.

The victim was transported to MercyOne for treatment and was released.

Detectives are continuing their investigation into the shooting but victim is not cooperating.

The names of the parties involved are not being released at this time.