On Friday afternoon, a Fargo shooting incident claimed the life of a Fargo police officer and left two others critically injured, along with one civilian. The motive behind the Fargo shooting remains unclear.
Fargo Shooting Incident Leaves 1 Dead, 2 Injured
The Fargo shooting incident took place near the intersection of 9th Avenue South and 25th Street South in Fargo.
The suspect responsible for the Fargo shooting was identified as 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat.
During the incident, Officer Zachary Robinson confronted the suspect and ultimately shot him. Barakat was then transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries, as reported in the official release.
According to a published article in CNN News, the two injured officers, Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes sustained gunshot wounds and are currently in critical but stable condition at a healthcare facility, according to official statements.
Additionally, a 25-year-old woman was also injured during the shooting and was rushed to a healthcare facility with serious injuries, according to authorities.
The fallen officer was identified as Jake Wallin, a 23-year-old who had recently joined the Fargo police force.
Fargo Shooting Motive Remains Unclear
Police Chief Dave Zibolski, during a news conference on Saturday, stated that there was no known reason for the shooting at this time, the Associated Press reported.
He expressed his belief that the motive will become clearer as the investigation progresses.
Chief Zibolski explained that the Fargo shooting occurred while officers were investigating a routine traffic accident. Although it does not appear that Barakat was involved in the collision, the investigation is ongoing to determine any potential connection.
“This was a heinous and unthinkable act of aggression against our officers and the entire metro community,” Chief Zibolski said in a news release, acknowledging the profound impact of the incident on the Fargo Police Department.
Officer Zachary Robinson, who shot and killed the suspect, has been placed on paid administrative leave as per standard procedure in Fargo, pending an investigation into his use of force, according to the official release.
In response to the tragic Fargo shooting incident, law enforcement officers conducted a procession with their squad car lights on along Interstate 94 and through Fargo on Friday evening, paying tribute to their fallen colleague and showing solidarity in the face of this devastating incident.
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