FARGO, N.D. - A Fargo police officer has died after being shot during a standoff overnight.
Officer Jason Moszer was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after responding to a domestic disturbance with reported gunfire at a home on the 300 block of 9th Avenue North in Fargo. He died at 12:45 p.m.
Fargo Police Chief David Todd said the man suspected in the officer's shooting is dead, but did not specify if he was shot by snipers or if he committed suicide. He was identified as 49-year-old Marcus Schumacher, of Fargo.
The Schumacher's son called dispatchers Wednesday night and said the suspect had fired a gun at his wife during a domestic altercation. The son and his mother were able to escape the home unharmed.
Moszer, a six-year department veteran who was 33 years old, responded to the scene and was shot by the suspect, according to police.
A resident in the area saw Officer Moszer on the ground near a squad car and notified dispatch.
He was transported to the hospital, where he later died.
During an emotional news conference early Thursday morning Todd said he took Officer Moszer's wife to the hospital where doctors told them his wound was not survivable.
"I was notified and responded. I went to get the officer's wife and brought her to the hospital. The officer's wife and I met with the doctors and they informed us that this is not a survivable wound. Right now his family is, his family is at the hospital with him saying goodbye," Chief Todd said.
The Fargo InForum reports that the standoff lasted eight hours before it was resolved.
Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney released the following statement, in response to the morning's incident:
Early this morning, we were profoundly saddened to learn that a member of the Fargo Police Department was tragically wounded while responding to a reported domestic disturbance in north Fargo. Officer Jason Moszer has served the people of Fargo with honor and distinction for over six years, including earning a Silver Star commendation. Officer Moszer has roots in our community, graduating from Fargo South High School in 2001 and from North Dakota State University in 2009. A tragedy affecting our men and women in uniform impacts our entire community. Today reminds us of the risks encountered daily by those proudly serving in uniform. We ask the citizens of Fargo to send thoughts and prayers to Officer Moszer and his family during this difficult time, acknowledging appreciation for his years of dedicated public service. We have been in contact with the family of Officer Moszer and offered them our steadfast support. We also stand behind our entire Fargo Police Department family, who are rallying around their brother officer. The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office have sectioned off a large area of north Fargo to conduct their investigation. This will impact residents and businesses; please know they are doing everything they can to minimize the disruption, while still ensuring a thorough analysis. We ask for your patience during this process. The following quote by Helen Keller is appropriate today, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.” We remain confident that our community is a safe place for our residents and visitors. While we mourn today’s senseless act of violence, we know that Fargo remains one of the nation’s most secure cities.