On Saturday, August 26, the Minnehaha County SWAT team and Crisis Negotiation Team were called out to the area of 484th Ave and 256th St just south of Garretson for a domestic assault. After a multi-hour standoff, 53-year-old Chad Achterberg of Garretson was arrested.
According to the Sheriff's Department, officers were initially called out to the residence mid-afternoon around 2:53 p.m. for a report of domestic assault with a weapon. Upon their arrival, Achterberg allegedly was alone and produced a compound bow and arrow set for the officers, after which they departed. The bow was allegedly outfitted with a fixed blade arrow, which is a razor-blade arrow meant for big game hunting.
The officers were called back a short time later when a report came through that Achterberg was pointing the weapon at passing vehicles. At that time, the department called in the SWAT and Crisis Negotiation teams, and Achterberg barricaded himself in the residence. According to reports, he fired the weapon and threw liquids at the vehicles during the standoff, which lasted nearly twelve hours and caused traffic to be re-routed. Liquids included items from mustard and milk to radiator fluid and brake fluid. The department alleged that Achterberg fired the weapon at the SWAT vehicle, a BearCat, at least twice.
Eventually, Achterberg was apprehended and booked into the Minnehaha County Jail. At the time of booking, he was charged with six state felony charges, including resisting arrest, felony intentional damage to property, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. As of press time, he remained in jail on a $50,000 bond for assault on a law enforcement officer.
The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Department was assisted by the Sioux Falls Police Department, Highway Patrol, a Park Ranger from Palisades State Park, and the Brandon Fire Department.
