Josh Gilchrist

Timeline

• 26 January 2007 — Police responded to the family home in Huron, South Dakota and found 14-year-old Rebekah Gilchrist with several cuts to her lower arms and hands; police then spotted 16-year-old Josh Gilchrist swinging a long sword and he struck one officer several times; other officers fired several shots and killed Josh Gilchrist; police found the body of Josh Gilchrist’s mother, 49-year-old Betty Gilchrist; police also found an injured foreign exchange student.
• 26 January 2007 — Rebekah Gilchrist was taken to a hospital in Sioux Falls.
• 26 January 2007 — The foreign exchange student and the officer were treated at Huron Regional Medical Center and released.
• 26 January 2007 — Four officers were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Division of Criminal Investigation.
• 26 January 2007 — The injured officer, Dan Kight (34), was treated at Huron Regional Medical Center and released.
• 27 January 2007 — Chief Doug Schmitt said investigators had not determined the motive for the attacks.

Background

Josh Gilchrist (16) was a member of the Huron High School band and orchestra. Josh Gilchrist’s sister, Rebekah Gilchrist (14), was also described as being part of the Huron High School band and orchestra. Their mother, Betty Gilchrist (49), was the children’s librarian at the Huron Public Library and was described as a former teacher at Minneota High School in southwest Minnesota. Both parents had been active in the Huron Municipal Band.

The offence

Police said Josh Gilchrist used a long sword during an attack at the family home in Huron, South Dakota. Officers found his 14-year-old sister, Rebekah Gilchrist, with several cuts on her lower arms and hands. Police then spotted Josh Gilchrist swinging the long sword. Police said Josh Gilchrist struck one of the officers several times before the others fired several shots, killing Josh Gilchrist. Police found the dead body of Josh Gilchrist’s mother, Betty Gilchrist (49). Police also found an injured foreign exchange student.

Investigation

Huron Police Chief Doug Schmitt said investigators had not determined the motive for the attacks and that there was no indication of a motive based on events leading up to the assault.

“We don't have any background or any events leading up to the assault this morning that would give any indication of a motive,” Chief Doug Schmitt said Friday.

Schmitt said he believed Josh Gilchrist collected swords.

Four officers were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Division of Criminal Investigation, described as standard procedure when police fire a gun.

Arrest / Use of lethal force

Police shot and killed Josh Gilchrist the same day as the sword attack. Police said Josh Gilchrist was killed after he struck one of the officers several times and the others fired several shots.

Injuries and treatment

Rebekah Gilchrist was taken to a hospital in Sioux Falls. The foreign exchange student, whose name was not released, was treated at Huron Regional Medical Center and released. The injured officer, Dan Kight (34), was treated at Huron Regional Medical Center and released. Police said Dan Kight’s uniform was cut by the sword.

People involved

• Josh Gilchrist (16) — Attacker and victim of the police shooting.
• Betty Gilchrist (49) — Josh Gilchrist’s mother; was found dead after being killed with a sword.
• Rebekah Gilchrist (14) — Josh Gilchrist’s sister; was injured with several cuts to her lower arms and hands.
• Jon Gilchrist — Josh Gilchrist’s father; was not home during the incident; he made a statement about Rebekah.
• Dan Kight (34) — Injured police officer; treated and released; his uniform was cut by the sword.
• Foreign exchange student — Injured; treated and released; name was not released.
• Chief Doug Schmitt — Huron Police Chief who commented on motive and sword collection.
• Terry Nebelsick — Principal of Huron High School who described school support for students after the incident.

Other details

Jon Gilchrist said:

“To all those concerned and praying for Bekah, she is stable and improving with non life-threatening injuries,” Jon Gilchrist said in a statement.

After the incident, counselors and administrators met with the faculty before the start of school Friday. Terry Nebelsick said a number of students talked to counselors and pastors at the school, and that many kids had already heard about the incident by the time the school made a formal announcement around 8:15 a.m.