Vernon Selig, a 57-year-old White man from Rapid City, South Dakota, was found dead on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 26, 2025, near Victoria Lake Road and First Thunder Road, just outside Rapid City. His body showed what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office classified the death as a homicide.

Investigators quickly focused on Selig’s 30-year-old son, Nicholas Selig, who was reported as a person of interest and considered armed and dangerous. Dozens of officers from the Rapid City Police Department and the sheriff’s office searched areas including Highway 16 and Gondola Road; residents were advised to secure their homes. On Thursday, August 28, 2025, a passerby spotted a man matching the description on Jackson Boulevard and Rapid City police confirmed his identity. Nicholas Selig was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder; he is being held at the Pennington County Jail.

In the weeks after the arrest, concerns about Nicholas Selig’s fitness to stand trial led to a competency evaluation after he missed initial court appearances and reportedly resisted officers and interrupted the judge. His next status hearing was set for November 18, 2025. Anyone with information about Vernon Selig, his activities before August 26, or the area around Victoria Lake Road and First Thunder Road is asked to come forward.