RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Pennington County man was sentenced to prison for a violent knife attack that took place at a convenience store on East North Street in Rapid City on Sept. 27, 2023. Thirty-eight-year-old Teton Quiver, a repeat offender, was sentenced after pleading guilty to aggravated assault at the end of July.
Surveillance video of the incident showed Quiver charging at the victim without warning, pulling out a knife, and stabbing him multiple times. The victim sustained multiple stab wounds to his back and abdomen and required surgery to survive.
“This was a violent, unprovoked knife attack that nearly cost a man his life,” said Pennington County Senior Deputy State’s Attorney Jason Thomas. “The video is unambiguous; this was no spontaneous scuffle or act of defense. It was a deliberate assault in a public place, carried out with complete disregard for human life.” Thomas had advocated for the maximum sentence of 15 years.
During sentencing, Circuit Court Judge Robert Gusinsky commented on the brutality of the attack, telling Quiver he was lucky to be in court for aggravated assault and not murder. Gusinsky imposed the maximum sentence of 15 years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary, with three years suspended.
Aggravated assault is a Class 3 felony in South Dakota, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine. The case was prosecuted on behalf of the state by Senior Deputy State’s Attorney Jason Thomas.