FARGO (KFGO) – Fargo Police have released details about a deadly shooting that left one officer dead and two others critically wounded Friday.
Chief Dave Zibolski addressed the media from the Commission Chambers inside City Hall. He named the officers who were shot when a man opened fire at a crash scene at the intersection of 25th Street and 9th Avenue S. near Big Top Bingo and Countryside Trailer Court.
Officer Jake Wallin, 23, was killed. Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes were critically injured by the gunfire. Fargo Police said they are both currently in critical, but stable condition at a local healthcare facility.
The incident happened shortly before 3 p.m. and within minutes dozens of officers and several ambulances arrived at the scene. Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies also assisted.
A total of five people were hit by gunfire – three officers, a bystander, and the shooter. Zibolski said the shooter also fired at the firefighters who responded to the scene. None of the firefighters were hit.
Zibolski identified the suspected shooter as 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat of Fargo. Zibloski said Barakat does not appear to have been involved in the crash, but added that the investigation into what exactly took place is ongoing.
Barakat fired off multiple rounds before he was shot by Officer Zachary Robinson, a seven-year veteran of the force.
According to Mayor Tim Mahoney, Robinson walked toward Barakat and into the line of fire to
neutralize him.
A 25-year-old Fargo woman was also shot. She was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. There is no word on her current condition.
Zibolski said the firefighters on-scene immediately began life-saving measures, likely saving Dotas’ and Hawes’ lives.
Barakat was taken to a hospital where he later died.
Zibolski said there is no known reason for the shooting.
“It’s an unconscionable act. It’s hard to fathom,” Zibolski said. “It’s unbelievable that something like this would happen in our community. Many of us think a lot of stuff can’t happen, and this happened. Our department right now, and I’m sure our community, is very heartbroken. We’re all walking with very heavy hearts.”
Multiple people reported hearing a string of ‘pops’ or ‘bangs’ shortly after the crash. Several cars were hit by bullets and there have been reports of trailer homes being struck. Zibolski could not confirm the reports of homes being hit.
Zibolski said he could not provide many of the details of the actual incident. He said the BCI will lead the investigation with the FBI’s assistance as they try to determine what happened leading up to the shooting.
Friday night into Saturday morning, members of the U.S. Marshals Office, FBI, and ATF searched Barakat’s south Fargo apartment. It was evacuated overnight, but residents were allowed back in around 7 a.m. Saturday.
Wallin was a veteran of the Minnesota National Guard and served in Afghanistan. He was sworn into the force on April 24, 2023.
Hawes was a classmate of Wallin’s in the academy and also was sworn into the force in April.
Dotas is a six-year member of the department and serves as a training officer. He also serves as a member of the Red River Valley SWAT Negotiations Team.
“Yesterday’s tragic event is felt across the entire state,” Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general said. “On behalf of the North Dakota National Guard, Becky and I extend our deepest sympathy and hopes for recovery, peace and comfort to Master Sgt. Andrew Dotas and his family. We also commend Master Sgt. Zach Robinson for the actions he took during the incident. In both their military and civilian roles, Andrew and Zach dedicate their lives to their community, state and nation with incredible selflessness and courage.”
“The North Dakota National Guard stands behind our state’s law enforcement community. We share in the mourning of Officer Jake Wallin, a military veteran who served with the Minnesota Army National Guard, and we extend Officer Tyler Hawes and his family our sincere wishes for recovery. Our communities are hurting, and we hope for healing for all those impacted by this profound tragedy. These officers are all heroes,” Dohrmann said.
A memorial has been set up at the intersection where incident took place.
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