MOORHEAD (KFGO) – A shelter-in-place for a south Moorhead neighborhood has been lifted and the source of a noise prompting a large police presence was traced to a heating and air conditioning system malfunction.
Several police officers and Clay County deputies responded to the 1800 block of 20th Street South in Moorhead on Wednesday.
KFGO News reporter Gretchen Hjelmstad says officers had their guns drawn and traffic was detoured for several hours.
Police Sgt. Joe Brannan says at approximately 9:30 a.m., a Moorhead Police officer was conducting a follow-up in the 1800 block of 20th St. S. As the officer approached the building, he heard what sounded like a gunshot and immediately called for backup.
Out of an abundance of caution, a large police presence was deployed to the area. Officers utilized a drone and the BearCat vehicle to safely assess the situation.
As part of the response, officers interviewed individuals in the area and reviewed video surveillance. Through the investigation, it was determined that the sound was caused by a mechanical malfunction involving a nearby HVAC system, which produced a loud noise consistent with what the officer initially believed to be a gunshot. There is no evidence to support that a gunshot was fired.
The officer acted in good faith and followed department protocol by calling for assistance. The response was appropriate given the nature of the report and the department’s commitment to public safety.
“We take all reports of possible gunfire seriously and respond with the resources necessary to protect our community,” said Chief Chris Helmick. “In this case, the officer responded appropriately based on what was heard, and our team worked quickly to investigate and ensure there was no threat to the public. We’re thankful the officer was not in harm’s way, and we will always err on the side of caution when it comes to public safety.”
During the incident, nearby schools made the decision to implement lockdown procedures out of an abundance of caution. These measures were lifted once the area was determined to be safe.
The Moorhead Police Department extends sincere thanks to our partners at Red River Valley SWAT, Moorhead Fire Department, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota State Patrol for their support and coordination during the response.
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