Paul Nebel Obituary: 50-Year-Old Central States Fairgrounds Maintenance Manager Fatally Shot; Suspect John Troy Lee Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting on Pine Ridge Reservation (June 7, 2026)

A quiet Sunday morning on the Central States Fairgrounds property in Rapid City, South Dakota , turned into a scene of unimaginable violence when a workplace dispute escalated into a fatal shooting, leaving a beloved maintenance manager dead and setting off a chain of events that ended hours later with the suspect killed in an officer-involved shooting on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

The victim has been identified as 50-year-old Paul Nebel of Rapid City , a dedicated employee who served as the maintenance manager at the fairgrounds for over a decade. The suspect, 58-year-old John Troy Lee , also of Rapid City, was an employee who had been living in a camper located on the fairgrounds property. According to preliminary findings from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) , the shooting occurred while Nebel was addressing a personnel-related issue involving Lee.

Following the shooting, Lee fled the scene, triggering a multi-agency manhunt. He was later located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation , where he was encountered by Oglala Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement. During that encounter, an officer-involved shooting occurred, and Lee was pronounced deceased.

As of Thursday, June 11, multiple agencies—including the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the Rapid City Police Department (RCPD) , the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) , the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) , the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) , and Oglala Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement —are actively investigating both the initial shooting at the fairgrounds and the subsequent law enforcement encounter.

Details of the Shooting at Central States Fairgrounds

According to the preliminary incident report released by the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office , the shooting occurred during the morning hours of Sunday, June 7, 2026 . While the exact time has not been publicly disclosed, authorities have confirmed that deputies were dispatched to the Central States Fairgrounds , located at 800 San Francisco Street in Rapid City, following reports of gunfire on the property.

The Central States Fairgrounds is a sprawling, multi-use facility that hosts the annual Central States Fair , as well as rodeos, concerts, trade shows, and community events throughout the year. It is a beloved institution in the Rapid City area, drawing visitors from across the region.

When deputies arrived on scene, they found Paul Nebel suffering from at least one gunshot wound—described by sources as a life-threatening injury to his upper torso. Emergency medical personnel from Rapid City Emergency Medical Services (RCEMS) arrived shortly thereafter and began life-saving measures. Despite their best efforts, Nebel’s injuries were too severe. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Investigators quickly identified John Troy Lee , a 58-year-old man who was both an employee of the fairgrounds and a resident of a camper located on the property, as the suspect in the shooting. According to preliminary findings, the shooting occurred while Nebel was addressing a personnel-related issue involving Lee. The exact nature of that issue—whether it was a disciplinary matter, a dispute over work duties, or a personal conflict—has not been disclosed by authorities.

Pennington County Sheriff Brian Mueller addressed the media on Monday: “This is a heartbreaking tragedy. Paul Nebel was a dedicated employee who was simply doing his job—addressing a workplace issue—and he lost his life for it. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and his coworkers at the Central States Fair. The investigation into the shooting at the fairgrounds is active and ongoing.”

The Manhunt and Officer-Involved Shooting on Pine Ridge Reservation

Following the shooting, John Troy Lee fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Rapid City Police Department and other local agencies, launched an immediate manhunt. Lee’s vehicle description and last known direction of travel were broadcast to law enforcement across the region.

Authorities later received information that Lee had been spotted on or near the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation —a vast, rural area that spans approximately 3,500 square miles in southwestern South Dakota, home to the Oglala Sioux Tribe. The reservation is located approximately 100 miles southeast of Rapid City.

Law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions, including Oglala Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement , the Bureau of Indian Affairs , and the FBI , converged on the area. At some point during the search, tribal officers encountered John Troy Lee. The exact circumstances of that encounter—including whether Lee was armed, whether he made threatening gestures, and whether any verbal warnings were given—have not been released by authorities.

What is known is that the encounter resulted in an officer-involved shooting , and Lee was pronounced deceased at the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

Oglala Sioux Tribal government officials have stated that Interim Chief Iver Crow Eagle is overseeing information related to the officer-involved shooting. A tribal spokesperson said: “The Oglala Sioux Tribe is cooperating fully with all investigating agencies. Our thoughts are with the family of Paul Nebel, and we are committed to a thorough and transparent investigation into the officer-involved shooting.”

The Investigation: Multiple Agencies, Many Unanswered Questions

As of Thursday, June 11, the investigation remains active and complex, involving multiple agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. Key areas of focus include:

For the fairgrounds shooting:

· What was the specific personnel-related issue that Paul Nebel was addressing with John Troy Lee?
· Did Lee have any prior disciplinary issues or conflicts with Nebel or other employees?
· How did Lee obtain the firearm used in the shooting? Was it legally owned?
· Were there any witnesses to the shooting? If so, what did they see and hear?

For the officer-involved shooting:

· What led tribal law enforcement to Lee’s location on the Pine Ridge Reservation?
· Did Lee make any statements or gestures before the shooting?
· Was Lee armed at the time of the encounter?
· Did officers issue verbal warnings before using deadly force?
· Is there body camera or dash camera footage of the encounter?

Pennington County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jorge Salas is the lead investigator on the fairgrounds shooting. Salas has urged anyone with information to come forward. “We are asking anyone who may have witnessed the shooting at the Central States Fairgrounds, or who may have had contact with John Troy Lee in the days leading up to the incident, to contact our office. No piece of information is too small.”

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, as is standard protocol in such incidents. The FBI and BIA are also involved due to the incident occurring on tribal lands.

Who Was Paul Nebel?

Behind the tragic headlines—”50-year-old maintenance manager fatally shot,” “personnel-related issue escalates”—was a man who was deeply loved and respected by his family, his coworkers, and his community. Paul Nebel was not a headline; he was a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a dedicated public servant who spent his career making the Central States Fairgrounds a safe and welcoming place for all.

Born on March 14, 1976 , in Rapid City, South Dakota , Paul Nebel was a lifelong resident of the Black Hills region. He attended Rapid City public schools , graduating from Stevens High School in 1994. After high school, Paul worked in construction and facilities management before finding his professional home at the Central States Fairgrounds more than a decade ago.

Paul was known as the “backbone” of the fairgrounds. He was the person who ensured that lights worked, water flowed, gates opened, and grounds were pristine for every event. He worked tirelessly, often behind the scenes, and took immense pride in his work. Coworkers describe him as someone who never complained, who showed up early and stayed late, and who always had a kind word for everyone he met.

Sarah Nebel , Paul’s wife of 22 years, spoke to reporters on Tuesday from the family home in Rapid City. Her voice was raw with grief. “Paul loved that fairgrounds. He loved the fair. He loved the rodeo. He loved setting up for concerts and watching people smile. He wasn’t just an employee—he was part of the family there. And to have his life end that way… because of a workplace issue… I just can’t wrap my head around it.”

Paul is also survived by his two children: Michael Nebel , 20, a student at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology , and Emily Nebel , 17, a junior at Stevens High School . He was a devoted father who never missed a basketball game, a school play, or a parent-teacher conference. He was also a proud grandfather to Lily Nebel , 2, his son’s daughter.

Michael Nebel said: “My dad was the hardest-working person I’ve ever known. He taught me that you show up, you do your best, and you treat people right. He lived that every single day. And now he’s gone. Because someone couldn’t handle a conversation about work. It’s senseless. It’s infuriating. And I miss him so much.”

Who Was John Troy Lee?

The suspect, John Troy Lee , 58, was also a resident of Rapid City. According to preliminary information, Lee was an employee of the Central States Fairgrounds and had been living in a camper located on the property—an arrangement that is not uncommon for seasonal or maintenance workers at large fairgrounds and event spaces.

Little is known about Lee’s background or his employment history. Authorities have not disclosed whether Lee had a criminal record, a history of violence, or any known mental health issues. The personnel-related issue that Paul Nebel was addressing at the time of the shooting has also not been disclosed.

What is known is that after shooting Nebel, Lee fled approximately 100 miles southeast to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where he was encountered by tribal law enforcement and killed in an officer-involved shooting. The Oglala Sioux Tribal government has not released any additional information about Lee’s actions or statements during that encounter.

The Central States Fair Community Mourns

The Central States Fair organization released a heartfelt statement on Monday: “We are heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Paul Nebel. Paul was more than an employee—he was family. He dedicated over a decade of his life to this fairgrounds, and his hard work, his kindness, and his infectious smile touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts are with his wife Sarah, his children, and his entire family. We will honor Paul’s memory by continuing to make this fairgrounds a place of joy and community—just as he would have wanted.”

Flags at the fairgrounds were lowered to half-staff on Monday. A makeshift memorial has appeared near the maintenance building where Paul worked, featuring flowers, candles, and handwritten notes from coworkers and fairgoers.

Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun issued a statement: “The loss of Paul Nebel is a tragedy for his family, for the Central States Fair, and for our entire city. Paul was a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make our community events possible. We are grateful for his service, and we mourn his loss. Our thanks also go out to the law enforcement officers who worked swiftly to locate the suspect and ensure that no further harm came to our community.”

A Complex Investigation on Tribal Lands

The fact that the officer-involved shooting occurred on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation adds layers of complexity to the investigation. Tribal lands are sovereign territories, and jurisdiction can be shared between tribal, state, and federal authorities depending on the circumstances.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe has jurisdiction over crimes committed on the reservation by Native Americans. However, because both the initial shooting and the suspect’s flight crossed jurisdictional boundaries, multiple agencies are involved. The FBI has jurisdiction over certain major crimes on reservations, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs provides law enforcement support.

Interim Chief Iver Crow Eagle of the Oglala Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement said: “We are committed to a thorough and transparent investigation. We understand that there are many unanswered questions, and we are working with our federal and state partners to ensure that all facts are uncovered. Our thoughts are with the Nebel family during this difficult time.”

How You Can Help

The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information about the shooting death of Paul Nebel or about John Troy Lee ‘s activities in the days leading up to the incident to come forward.

· Pennington County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jorge Salas : (605) 394-6115
· Pennington County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line : (605) 394-6116
· Rapid City Police Department : (605) 394-4131
· Crime Stoppers of the Black Hills : (605) 341-7867 – Anonymous tips accepted; cash rewards available.

A GoFundMe campaign organized by the Central States Fair has been established to support the Nebel family with funeral expenses and other needs. As of Thursday morning, the campaign had raised over $32,000 of its $50,000 goal.

Funeral arrangements for Paul Nebel are being handled by Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City. Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, June 13 , at First United Methodist Church , followed by a private burial at Pine Lawn Memorial Park.

Conclusion: A Life of Service, A Senseless End

Paul Nebel was 50 years old. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a man who dedicated his working life to making the Central States Fairgrounds a place of joy and community. He was doing his job—addressing a workplace issue—when a dispute escalated into deadly violence. He never went home to his wife, his children, or his granddaughter.

The suspect, John Troy Lee , is dead. The officer-involved shooting on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is under investigation. And the family of Paul Nebel is left with grief, questions, and a future without the man they loved.

Paul Nebel , born March 14, 1976, died June 7, 2026. He is survived by his wife Sarah, his children Michael and Emily, his granddaughter Lily, and a community that will never forget his kindness, his work ethic, and his smile. May he rest in peace. May his family find strength in the days ahead. And may his death serve as a reminder that workplace violence can happen anywhere—and that we must do more to prevent it.