Jury Finds Jondahl Guilty of Firearm Charges Following December Incident

Northeast Radio SD News - Yankton, SD - A Watertown man faces up to 50 years in prison following his conviction Friday in connection with an officer-involved shooting that took place in the parking lot of Yankton High School last December.

A Yankton County Circuit Court Jury found Andrew Jondahl, 41, guilty on three counts stemming from the December 5, 2024, incident:

·        Two felony counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.

·        One misdemeanor count of Possession of a Firearm on Public Elementary or Secondary School Premises.

The confrontation began when Yankton Police responded to reports of an intoxicated man seated in a vehicle at the high school with a firearm across his lap. Jondahl had previously been escorted from a school event and was reportedly making threats of self-harm.

According tothe evidence presented, the situation escalated when Jondahl exited his vehicle holding shotguns. Authorities stated he faced officers in a manner that suggested he was prepared to fire.

In response, two officers discharged a total of 14 rounds from their service rifles. Jondahl sustained non-life-threatening injuries; no officers or bystanders were harmed.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley praised the restraint and quick thinking of the responding units.

“This defendant’s actions put the lives of law enforcement officers and the public at risk,” said Attorney General Jackley. “The actions of the law enforcement officers that evening kept the outcome from becoming even more tragic.”

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) conducted a full inquiry into the shooting, ultimately concluding that the officers’ use of force was justified.

Sentencing Outlook

Jondahl remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing at a later date. Under South Dakota law, the combined maximum prison sentence for the felony convictions is at least 50 years.