UPDATE: According to the Associated Press and KDLT News, the 17-year-old shot and killed in Watertown on Saturday was identified as Jayden Harley.

Harley was shot in the chest and died at a local hospital. Authorities say he was unarmed.

Police say alcohol or drugs did not play a factor, and the suspect and victim did not know each other. Instead, police believe the argument that took place in the street, started over a noise complaint.


A teenage boy in Watertown was shot by a 31-year-old man after an argument Saturday (June 11).  According to David Law of KXLG Radio the argument grew out of tension among neighbors:

The Watertown Police Department received a report of an altercation between an adult male, identified as 31 year old Alexis Velazquez and a juvenile male, identified as Jayden Harley.  Police were called to the scene at 8:52 p.m. following a verbal encounter that escalated when Velazquez brandished a handgun.  Velazquez fired one shot striking Jayden.  Jayden was transferred to Prairie Lakes Hospital, however he died from his injuries

Velazquez is currently jailed at the Codington County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.

Sources say there were ongoing arguments regarding noise and other disturbances in the neighborhood. The teenager was 17-years-old and according to sources, the family released his name to dispel any rumors that were circulating in the community.

The boy had been honored at a graduation ceremony at another location earlier that day.

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