A jury is convicting a man accused of shooting and killing another man in a Rapid City parking lot.
Thirty-year-old Derrek Brave Heart was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter Thursday in Pennington County Court.
Prosecutors say Brave Heart shot 43-year-old Jonathan Odom outside a Family Dollar store in February of 2024.
Brave Heart said he acted in self-defense after Odom struck him during an altercation. But officials with the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s office said Brave Heart could have deescalated the situation, but instead chose to escalate the conflict.
Video shown at trial showed at trial showed Odom slapping Brave Heart. Brave Heart then threatened Odom with a gun, and Odom backed away. Brave Heart continued threatening him and eventually opened fire.
The sentencing hearing is May 5. First-degree manslaughter is punishable by up to life in prison.