FARGO, N.D. — The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NDBCI) is conducting an outside probe of an officer-involved shooting that claimed a man's life in Fargo Wednesday.
Fargo police said in a news release that officers responded to a call for assistance involving a suicidal man on the 6100 block of 61st Ave. S just before 11 a.m. Police learned that the man was inside a home and armed. Emergency medical teams were staged nearby as officers engaged in dialogue with the man in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
After a period of time, according to police, the man emerged from the home holding a handgun, and multiple officers fired their weapons. The man was declared dead on the scene.
“We understand that incidents like these are deeply concerning to our community," said Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski in a released statement. "We are committed to a full and transparent investigation to determine the facts. We ask for the community’s patience as NDBCI works to gather and verify the details surrounding this incident.”
The NDBCI was called in to conduct what Fargo police call "a transparent and thorough investigation, as is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings. The offers involved have been placed on administrative leave until the investigation is complete.
It is likely the incident conjured up feelings of unease for officers, as just last summer Fargo police lost one of their own in a high-profile shootout with a suspect. Minnesota native Jake Wallin was fatally shot and two other Fargo police officers were wounded on July 14, 2023, after 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat opened fire on them following a routine traffic accident.
Barakat was eventually shot and killed by veteran officer Zach Robinson. After the attack, officers found 1,800 live rounds, three long rifles, four handguns, explosives, canisters with gasoline and a homemade hand grenade in Barakat's car.
Investigators believe Barakat was intentionally targeting officers, but a motive for the shootout remains unclear.
