RAPID CITY, SD — After several hours of deliberation, a Pennington County jury has found 23-year-old Luke Birch guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of McGarland Walker VI, a man Birch had previously described to law enforcement as his best friend.

Walker was shot six times and killed on March 8, 2024, inside a west Rapid City apartment building. Evidence presented at trial showed the two men were involved in a dispute, much of which occurred over the phone.

On the evening of the murder, Walker went to Birch’s girlfriend’s apartment, where Birch was staying. Evidence showed Birch was waiting for him to arrive, armed with a gun and wearing a ski mask. When Walker arrived, Birch shot him multiple times in the apartment building entrance. Following the shooting, evidence showed Birch fled the scene and took steps to conceal his involvement.

“This was a deliberate act of violence that ended a life and forever changed others,” said Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Adam Shiffermiller. “On behalf of the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office, we want to extend our gratitude to the jury for their time and careful deliberation,” Shiffermiller said.

Second-degree murder in South Dakota carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Sentencing will take place at a later date.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Adam Shiffermiller and
Assistant Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Olivia Siglin.