Samuel Louis Crockett, 28, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, died on January 5, 2018, after a violent confrontation outside the Rice Street Apartments at 700 West Rice Street. The incident began the night before when Crockett asked Crystal Habben to acquire methamphetamine; Habben contacted Manuel Jesus Frias and others. The group converged at the apartment building early January 5, and Crockett retrieved a handgun from a vehicle before entering.

Prosecutors say the meeting was intended as a robbery, or a lick, and that violence erupted on the stairwell. In the State’s account, Crockett shot Corey James Zephier during the melee; Frias then shot Crockett outside the complex. Crockett was alive when police arrived but later died at a hospital; Zephier was killed at the scene. Arrests and search warrants followed: Maria Shantel LeClaire was arrested in Red Wing, Minnesota, Habben was arrested for allegedly concealing a felony, and Frias was sought on a murder charge. Frias was later convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter; reports note Habben and LeClaire pleaded guilty to related charges.

Are there readers who remember activity around West Rice Street that night or who have information about the people involved?