South Dakota Man Reportedly Waited 50 Years to Take Revenge on School Bully, Leading to Fatal Shooting

SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA — A shocking case out of South Dakota has drawn national attention after reports surfaced that an elderly man allegedly shot and killed his former school bully nearly 50 years after their last encounter.

The suspect, identified in viral posts and social media discussions as a South Dakota resident in his late seventies, is accused of shooting the victim twice in the face, reportedly claiming it was an act of long-awaited revenge. The case has ignited widespread conversation about the extremes of unresolved trauma and the haunting effects of childhood bullying that can persist for decades.

Details of the Alleged Shooting

According to early reports shared on platforms such as Instagram and Reddit, the incident occurred after the two men unexpectedly crossed paths in a South Dakota town earlier this year. Witnesses told investigators that an argument broke out before the suspect pulled a firearm and shot the victim at close range, leading to the man’s death.

Authorities said the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. He was photographed wearing a black-and-white jail uniform during his court appearance, where he was charged with first-degree murder.

Officials have not yet released the names of either the suspect or the victim pending confirmation and family notifications.

Decades of Resentment Alleged

The viral posts allege that the shooter told police he had been bullied in school more than 50 years ago and had never recovered emotionally from the torment. Though investigators have not confirmed those statements, online discussions suggest the man’s motive was rooted in deep-seated anger tied to his youth.

South Dakota man waited 50 years to get revenge on a school bully, he shot him twice in the face which resulted in bully’s passing pic.twitter.com/TR1Q39om0h

— Raphousetv (RHTV) (@raphousetv2) October 20, 2025

Psychologists commenting on similar long-term revenge cases note that unresolved trauma and social humiliation can profoundly affect a person’s sense of justice and control.

“When resentment festers over decades, especially from experiences of bullying or humiliation, it can manifest in dangerous ways later in life,” said one behavioral expert familiar with elderly criminal psychology.

Community Shock and Reaction

Residents in the small South Dakota town where the shooting took place said they were stunned by the violent nature of the crime — especially given the suspect’s age. Many described him as quiet, polite, and unlikely to cause trouble.

“No one could believe it. He was just an older man you’d see at the store,” said one local resident. “We had no idea he was carrying something like this for so long.”

The case has since gone viral on social media, where some users expressed disbelief while others discussed the emotional weight of lifelong bullying.

“Fifty years is a long time to hold on to hate,” one commenter wrote. “It’s tragic all around — two lives destroyed by something that happened when they were kids.”

A Tragic Reminder

While authorities continue to investigate the exact timeline of events, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of how unaddressed emotional wounds and mental health struggles can resurface, even decades later.

The suspect remains in custody at a South Dakota detention center, awaiting a court date. Prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will pursue a life sentence due to the severity of the crime.

This developing case underscores the devastating ripple effects of unresolved pain — and how vengeance, even after half a century, can lead to irreversible tragedy.

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