Severson Pleads Not Guilty

Kyle Severson plead not guilty in district court on July 15 to the charge of deliberate homicide before Judge Katherine Bidegaray. The charge was filed in connection with the shooting death of Tyler Hayden on July 2. An omnibus hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16 at 9:15 a.m. The court set a trial date of Dec. 10-13.

Public defender, Michael Haase, made a motion to reduce bail. Judge Bidegaray set a date of Aug 12 at 8:15 a.m. to hear arguments on the motion. Severson's bail is currently set at $2,000,000.

If convicted, Severson faces a maximum sentence of death or 100 years in prison. The minimum sentence is 10 years in prison.

According to a statement released by authorities, Sidney police responded to a report of a shooting on the night of July 2 to the Loaf-N-Jug convenience store at 706 S. Central Ave., Sidney. Upon arrival the officers located an unresponsive Tyler Anthony Hayden who appeared to be the victim of a gunshot wound. Richland County EMS assessed the victim and determined that he was deceased. Severson turned himself in to police following the incident.

According to court documents, Severson waved his right to an attorney and provided a statement to police. Severson stated to police there was an interaction between the victim and Severson's girlfriend, Karina Orozco inside Loaf-N-Jug. Orozco, Severson and his young daughter were driving away from the convenience store when the victim approached the vehicle. Orozco was driving and stopped the vehicle, then Severson shot Hayden.

Video surveillance from Gem City Motors located directly across the street from Loaf-N-Jug shows Hayden approaching the SUV, stopping, and immediately falling to the ground.

Severson also stated that he had begun carrying a gun for protection after Hayden allegedly assaulted him in April 2018.

The matter remains under investigation by the Sidney Police Department with the assistance of the Richland County Sheriff's Office.