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2023-07-17 Home Front: WoT

Veteran, Guardsmen among officers involved in Fargo police shooting

[Yahoo] A veteran and two National Guard members were among the police officers who responded to a traffic crash in North Dakota on Friday, according to a statement from the North Dakota National Guard adjutant general.

A gunman opened fire on police and firefighters "for no known reason" as they responded to the crash, killing one officer and wounding two others before another officer killed him, Fargo’s police Chief David Zibolski said Saturday.

A 25-year-old woman was also injured in the shooting Friday afternoon, but authorities did not say who shot her. The gunman did not hit any firefighters, Zibolski said, but a fire truck was struck by gunfire.

Zibolski said officer Jake Wallin, a military veteran, was killed, and officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes were wounded. Officer Zach Robinson shot and killed the suspect, Zibolski said.

Zibolski identified the shooter as Mohamad Barakat, 37, of Fargo, but provided few details about him or the shooting, citing officials’ desire to protect the investigation. He said he was confident authorities would eventually determine the motive.

Valley News Live spoke to Mr. Barakat’s neighbours:

“I know every time I had an encounter with him he was very timid and standoffish.” Ringwelski said. “He didn’t want to be around you and of course that made you not want to be around him”

As the investigation into the incident continues, Gosney and Ringwelski find themselves reflecting on their brief encounters with Barakat. They recall him as a silent individual, never uttering a word during their encounters, including one shared in an elevator where they both rode in silence.

“He never talked,” Gosney said. “He never said a word to anyone really, he didn’t look up to you, and didn’t really make much eye contact.”

Posted by Enver Slager8035 2023-07-17 00:00|| || Front Page|| [22 views ] Top

#1 Heavy’s Five Fast Facts has an awful lot about the officers who were shot, but strangely only this about the miscreant:

1. The Police Chief Said That Mohamad Barakat Shot the Officers ‘for No Known Reason,’ Calling Him a ‘Violent Gunman’

In a news conference, Chief David Zibolski said for “no known reason at all a violent gunman attacked our officers, firing multiple rounds.”

According to Zibolski, police were responding to a traffic crash scene that they don’t believe Barakat was involved in. He also opened up on fire officials, Zibolski said.

The FBI is involved in the investigation, he said. “Our officers were out there performing their duties, investigating what we would say was a routine traffic accident,” said Zibolski. As they did that, he said, Barakat “began firing at them, striking three of them. He also fired shots at firefighters” who were tending to crash victims, but none of them was struck.

He said a fire truck was struck by gunfire.

Police have not released a photo or biographical information on Barakat. He said police had prior contact with Barakat, but nothing significant. He did not detail it. He did not explain where authorities believe Barakat got the weapon, and he did not identify the type of weapon.

Online records show Barakat living in Fargo at an apartment along 23rd Avenue. He said there was an investigation into whether it was an “ambush,” but added, “it does not appear he was part of the collision.”

All of the other addresses listed in public records for Barakat are also in Fargo.

Posted by trailing wife 2023-07-17 13:53|| 2023-07-17 13:53|| Front Page Top

#2 "Known wolf" in 3-2-1...

Posted by M. Murcek 2023-07-17 13:59|| 2023-07-17 13:59|| Front Page Top

#3 All you need to know about the gunman's motive can be inferred from his first name.

Posted by jpal 2023-07-17 14:34|| 2023-07-17 14:34|| Front Page Top

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