Man who fatally shot friend pleads guilty

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – A 19-year-old Sioux Falls man accused of fatally shooting his friend last year has entered a guilty plea in a deal with prosecutors.

Stasek Alexandr Stefanyuk entered the plea to first-degree manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance in a Minnehaha County courtroom Tuesday, the day his trial was to begin.

As part of the plea agreement, Judge Jon Sogn capped Stefanyuk’s potential sentence at 15 years actual prison time and no more than 25 years including suspended time. Stefanyuk’s family sobbed as the judge accepted the guilty pleas.

Stefanyuk was showing off a shotgun when he shot 21-year-old Darias Tiger last September. Stefanyuk admitted he had been using drugs at the time. He was not immediately sentenced.

AP-WF-06-25-19 1510GMT