WEBSTER, S.D. (KXLG) – The South Dakota Attorney General has cleared a Day County Sheriff’s Deputy in the shooting of a Webster man on June 2nd, 2020. Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg and the Division of Criminal Investigation on Thursday, released the summary into the shooting of 46-year-old, Michael Andreas Beckham.

The shooting occurred around 4 p.m. on June 2 when a Webster police officer responded to a 911 call from a male, later identified as Beckham, who making irrational claims and threatening to harm himself. Beckham was in Webster driving erratically in his vehicle and refused to stop for law enforcement. A vehicle pursuit left the city limits of Webster and personnel from the Day County Sheriff’s Office became involved.

According to the report, during the pursuit, officers observed Beckham with a handgun which he pointed at his own head multiple times while driving.

Following the deployment of a spike strip and the eventual blocking of the road by patrol vehicles, Beckham was stopped at which time he continued a verbal exchange with authorities and pointed his weapon at officers.

During the exchange, a shot was fired by Beckham at which time an officer with the Day County Sheriff’s Office drew his service weapon and returned fire. Beckham received injuries to his torso, arm, and head.

He was transported to Avera hospital in Aberdeen for treatment. South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg said, “It is my conclusion that the actions taken by the officer of the Day County Sheriff’s Office were justified. I would like to thank the officers of the Sheriff’s Office and the Webster Police Department for their complete cooperation in this investigation.”

The identity of the officer involved in the shooting was not released in the report.