Sioux Falls man given suspended sentence for killing friend

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – A Sioux Falls man has been given a suspended sentence for accidentally shooting and killing his friend last September.

Nineteen-year-old Stasek Stefanyuk earlier pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the death of 21-year-old Darias Tiger and drug possession. Stefanyuk says he was showing Tiger his new shotgun when he tripped, bumped a wall and accidentally fired the gun, striking Tiger.

Second Judicial Circuit Court Jon Sogn sentenced Stefanyuk to 12 1/2 years in prison, but suspended the entire sentence Tuesday.

Stefanyuk apologized to Tiger’s mother in court and recalled Tiger’s last words were to tell his mother that he loved her. The courtroom was full of family members of both Tiger and Stefanyuk.

AP-WF-08-07-19 1129GMT