Woman Dead, Shooter Critical In Botched Murder/Suicide

"YANKTON, SD — A Yankton woman is dead after an apparent murder-suicide attempt early Saturday morning.

"According to the Yankton Police Department, Brianna Marie Knoll, 25, died of a gunshot wound in connection with an incident in the 1000 block of Whiting Drive.

"Meanwhile, a male suspect, Nicholas Stewart Hines, 28, was found at 1008 Willow Lane with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, where he was stabilized and transferred to a Sioux Falls hospital. There is no word yet on his condition.

"`We believe it was an (attempted) murder-suicide, a domestic violence case,` Yankton Police Chief Brian Paulsen said during an afternoon press conference.

"Paulsen said the police received a 911 call at 3:18 a.m. Saturday from an individual reporting hearing at least one gunshot in the area of 1006 Whiting Drive. When police arrived, they found a vehicle next to an apartment building. They discovered Knoll in the vehicle.

"`We believe she was in the vehicle when she was shot ... and she was conscious at some point,` Paulsen said.

"He said it appeared Knoll was shot from outside the vehicle.

"Paulsen said Knoll’s car had traveled about a half-block away from the Willow Lane residence before it veered into the apartment. He added that her doors were locked, and police had to break out one of the windows to gain access to her. The vehicle’s engine was running when police arrived.

"When police went to Knoll’s Willow Lane residence, they found the wounded Hines lying in the front yard.

"`He was conscious when we found him,` Paulsen said, adding the police tried talking to Hines but `it was a very limited conversation.`

"Paulsen said police confiscated `multiple weapons` from the Willow Lane residence."

From yankton.net...