Rapid City police are currently investigating an overnight homicide which took place in
an alleyway across the street from 500 East Boulevard.
At around 11:10 p.m. on March 18 th , police were called to 35 Omaha Street for a third-party report of an
unconscious male that was seen laying in the alleyway between Main Street and Saint Joseph Street,
near its intersection with East Boulevard.
Police arrived to this location to find two men, one unconscious and bleeding on the ground, and
another sitting on the ground nearby. The responding officer immediately began life-saving measures on
the unconscious male.
As CPR was performed on the unconscious male, the second male (later identified as 54-year-old James
Ladeaux) refused to give the officer enough room to do so. A second officer arrived and attempted to
separate James from the immediate area of the unconscious male. James refused to do so, brandished a
knife, and began waving it at officers. Police ordered him to drop the knife, but he was uncooperative
with officer commands. Police Tasered James and were able to detain him in handcuffs.
Medical units arrived and continued CPR on the unconscious male, however, he was later declared
deceased on scene.
The deceased is identified as 53-year-old Fredrick Ladeaux of Rapid City. At this time, it appears
Frederick was stabbed. It should be noted that Frederick and James are brothers.
Based on evidence recovered at the scene, and statements made during the investigation, James was
placed under arrest for Murder in the First Degree, and two counts of Aggravated Assault on Law
Enforcement. He was subsequently transported to the Pennington County Jail. Police continue to
actively investigate the circumstances surrounding the homicide in conjunction with the Pennington
County Sheriff’s Office.
