1 police officer dead, 2 other cops in critical condition in North Dakota shooting
Police in Fargo, North Dakota, say one of their own was killed in a shooting Friday, an incident that also critically injured two other officers and injured two civilians.
The Fargo Police Department said in a press conference Saturday that it did not have a motive for the shooting. The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat, was shooting in rapid succession, although it is unclear if it was a semi-automatic weapon or an automatic weapon, authorities said.
The suspect was killed by a police officer, Fargo Police said.
The Fargo Police Department released the names of the officers involved in the incident on Saturday.
Officer Jake Wallin, who joined the force in April, was fatally shot in the incident. Wallin was 23.
Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes sustained gunshot wounds and are currently in critical stable conditions with serious injuries at local hospitals.
Officer Zachary Robinson shot and killed the suspect, according to the department. Robinson has been placed on paid administrative leave while the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NDBCI) conducts an investigation into the use of force, per The Fargo Police Department's standard operating procedure.
Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski said that the events of the past 24 hours were the most difficult in the department's 150-year history.
"This was a heinous and unthinkable act of aggression against our officers and the entire metro community. As we all try to comprehend what has transpired and mourn the impact on our team and the entire community, we are bracing for extremely difficult days ahead. We know that we are joined by our metro community in this process and that brings comfort to all of us," Zibolski said in a statement.
"Our hearts are heavy, but I can assure you that we never take your support for granted; we can profoundly feel the fabric of this community in your actions, words of encouragement and acts of kindness. Together, we are and will remain the guardians of our Fargo community," he added.
A 25-year-old female Fargo resident was also shot during the critical incident, police said. She was transported from the scene to a local healthcare facility with serious injuries.
"A total of five individuals sustained injuries in this incident. The Fargo Police Department can confirm that one of its officers has died as a result of sustained injuries and two remain in critical condition this evening," the City of Fargo said in a statement regarding the shooting in a Friday release. "Two other involved civilians sustained serious injuries, including the suspect who has died as a result of the shooting."
Police initially evacuated residents in the area of the shooting during the investigation but confirmed shortly after that there was no longer a threat to the general public, police said.
