One police officer was killed and two others were seriously injured after a suspect opened fire “for no apparent reason” on a busy street in Fargo, North Dakota on Friday.
The deceased was identified on Saturday as 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat.
The police are shocked and don’t know what caused the killings.
According to reports, Mohamad Barakat started shooting in a busy street in the early hours of Friday afternoon.
Fargo police immediately began exchanging gunfire with Mohamad Barakat.
Jake Wallin, 23 years old was shot.
Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes were seriously injured in the shooting.
Officer Zach Robinson shot Mohamad Barakat.
A 25-year-old woman was also shot and seriously injured.
“This was a brutal and unexpected act of violence against our police officers and our community,” Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski said at a news conference Saturday. “This type of behavior obviously cannot be tolerated.”
North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley has not commented on the investigation and has not commented.
CBS news report:
One police officer was killed and two others were seriously injured after a shooting began on a busy street in Fargo, North Dakota, on Friday afternoon, police said.
Fargo police returning fire killed a suspect during a shooting that happened just before 3pm on Friday.
The suspect was identified as 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat of Fargo. He died after being taken to a hospital, police said.
At a press conference Saturday, Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski said the suspect fired “no apparent reason.”
North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said the state’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation is working with federal, state and local authorities in response to a “shooting incident” but did not provide further details.
“We sincerely ask for your patience and the patience and understanding of our community as the Fargo Police Department works on this incident,” Schildberger said Friday evening.
“This is very difficult for all of us,” Schildberger said. “We appreciate all the messages from the community that have been given to us in support of our officers.”
Several witnesses said a man shot at the police before other officers shot him. Shortly after, police arrived at the residence about 2 miles away and evacuated the residents while they gathered what they said was evidence related to the shooting.
Fargo police on Saturday issued an update on the police killings: