MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — A man has been sentenced to 100 years in prison, life behind bars, after being convicted on seven felony counts, including trying to murder a law enforcement officer.
The case stems from an April 1, 2025, incident, in which 26-year-old Samir Albaidhani fled an attempted traffic stop in Sioux Falls, racing south towards Beresford. When Albaidhani tried to exit from Interstate 29, he lost control of the vehicle he was driving, and it went into the ditch.
After scrambling out of the vehicle, he pulled a weapon and tried to shoot officers in an attempt to get away on foot. A state highway patrol trooper rammed into Albaidhani, forcing him to the ground. He still did not stop, reaching for his gun again, which forced the trooper to shoot at Albaidhani. He was hit in the arm and taken to the hospital for treatment.
An investigation by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation determined the trooper and Sioux Falls Police officers were justified in using force against Albaidhani. He was found guilty on three counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, three counts of aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer, and one count of aggravated eluding law enforcement.
Attorney General Marty Jackley says, “Violent attacks against law enforcement officers are attacks on the rule of law itself, and the prosecution of these crimes will remain my top priority.”
