FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – Three days after a man opened fire on Police and Fire personnel who were responding to a car crash in south Fargo, killing one officer and critically wounding two others, Police Chief Dave Zibolski says there are still more questions than answers.
“This is a unusual circumstance. It’s a completely unprovoked attack on law enforcement and our firefighters and so, why? And to what end? Are there any other legs to this?” Zibolski said. “We don’t know those answers. That’s what the BCI and the FBI are working on and we have to give them the time to do that. There’s a lot of pieces to doing this type of analysis and investigation.”
Zibolski says there’s no indication of any continuing threat to the public. The shooter, 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat, was fatally shot by Fargo officer Zachary Robinson to end the attack.
“Zach, under fire, with just extreme courage and valor, responded to what he had been trained to do. His calmness in that situation is just incredible. And if he hadn’t acted and done everything exactly how he did it and as quickly as he could, we might not have those officers in the hospital still with us, because Zach’s ability to end that threat of death to others allowed those firefighters to be in a position to get back out and provide life saving care to our cops. Every second counts in a situation like this,” Zibolski said.
Robinson is a seven-year veteran of the force and was the training officer of 23-year-old Jake Wallin, who died in the shooting. Wallin had only been on the force for three months and previously served in Afghanistan as a member of the Minnesota National Guard.
“I was talking to Jake’s dad last night and he told me, ‘If I had told Jake he was gonna get shot the next day he still would have gone to work.’ That’s how committed he was. That’s how purposeful he was,” Zibolski said.
The two other officers who were shot, Tyler Hawes and Andrew Dotas, are still in the hospital, in critical but stable condition according to Zibolski. Hawes graduated from the Fargo Police Academy with Wallin. Dotas is a six-year veteran of the force.
A 25-year-old woman who police described as a bystander was also shot and seriously injured. Zibolski said she had only moved to Fargo three weeks ago.
Zibolski said involvement in the investigation by federal agencies like the FBI is not uncommon.
“From my past experience, any time an officer is killed in the line of duty the FBI and other federal entities always jump in and are there to provide any possible assistance that they can. And when we’re talking about the guns, the firearm involved in this particular situation, this is an appropriate federal investigation,” Zibolski said.
The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation is the lead agency investigating the shooting. State Attorney General Drew Wrigley has not provided any anticipated timeline as to how long the investigation might take to complete.
Previously, Chief Zibolski addressed the media from the Commission Chambers inside City Hall on Saturday, July 15th. He named the officers who were shot when a man opened fire at a crash scene at the intersection of 25th Street and 9th Avenue S. near Big Top Bingo and Countryside Trailer Court.
Officer Jake Wallin, 23, was killed. Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes were critically injured by the gunfire. Fargo Police said they are both currently in critical, but stable condition at a local healthcare facility.
The incident happened shortly before 3 p.m. and within minutes dozens of officers and several ambulances arrived at the scene. Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies also assisted.
A total of five people were hit by gunfire – three officers, a bystander, and the shooter. Zibolski said the shooter also fired at the firefighters who responded to the scene. None of the firefighters were hit.
Zibolski identified the suspected shooter as 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat of Fargo. Zibloski said Barakat does not appear to have been involved in the crash, but added that the investigation into what exactly took place is ongoing.
Barakat fired off multiple rounds before he was shot by Officer Zachary Robinson, a seven-year veteran of the force.
According to Mayor Tim Mahoney, Robinson walked toward Barakat and into the line of fire to neutralize him.
A 25-year-old Fargo woman was also shot. She was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. There is no word on her current condition.
Zibolski said the firefighters on-scene immediately began life-saving measures, likely saving Dotas’ and Hawes’ lives. Barakat was taken to a hospital where he later died.
Zibolski said there is no known reason for the shooting. “It’s an unconscionable act. It’s hard to fathom,” Zibolski said. “It’s unbelievable that something like this would happen in our community. Many of us think a lot of stuff can’t happen, and this happened. Our department right now, and I’m sure our community, is very heartbroken. We’re all walking with very heavy hearts.”
Multiple people reported hearing a string of ‘pops’ or ‘bangs’ shortly after the crash. Several cars were hit by bullets and there have been reports of trailer homes being struck. Zibolski could not confirm the reports of homes being hit.
Zibolski said he could not provide many of the details of the actual incident. He said the BCI will lead the investigation with the FBI’s assistance as they try to determine what happened leading up to the shooting.
Friday night into Saturday morning, members of the U.S. Marshals Office, FBI, and ATF searched Barakat’s south Fargo apartment. It was evacuated overnight, but residents were allowed back in around 7 a.m. Saturday.
Wallin was a veteran of the Minnesota National Guard and served in Afghanistan. He was sworn into the force on April 24, 2023.
Hawes was a classmate of Wallin’s in the academy and also was sworn into the force in April.
Dotas is a six-year member of the department and serves as a training officer. He also serves as a member of the Red River Valley SWAT Negotiations Team.
“Yesterday’s tragic event is felt across the entire state,” Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general said. “On behalf of the North Dakota National Guard, Becky and I extend our deepest sympathy and hopes for recovery, peace and comfort to Master Sgt. Andrew Dotas and his family. We also commend Master Sgt. Zach Robinson for the actions he took during the incident. In both their military and civilian roles, Andrew and Zach dedicate their lives to their community, state and nation with incredible selflessness and courage.”
“The North Dakota National Guard stands behind our state’s law enforcement community. We share in the mourning of Officer Jake Wallin, a military veteran who served with the Minnesota Army National Guard, and we extend Officer Tyler Hawes and his family our sincere wishes for recovery. Our communities are hurting, and we hope for healing for all those impacted by this profound tragedy. These officers are all heroes,” Dohrmann said.
Statement from the Most Reverend John Folda, Bishop of Fargo: “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of Friday’s tragic shooting, along with their family and friends. I ask the entire Fargo-area faith community to join me in prayer for the repose of the soul of the officer killed, for the speedy recovery of those injured, and for the men and women of the Fargo police department, who serve our community daily with professionalism and dedication to duty.”
U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) released the following statement after the Fargo Police Department confirmed one of its officers has died as a result of a shooting in Fargo. Two other officers remain in critical condition.
“Kris and I send our deepest condolences to the Fargo Police Department, its family members, and the entire Fargo community. Our law enforcement bravely run toward the danger and make unbelievable sacrifices so we can live in a safer world. It’s unfortunate it cost the life of one of our officers. Our prayers are with everyone injured in last night’s shooting, including the two other officers who remain in critical condition. I hope they make a full recovery.”
Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after the Fargo Police Department confirmed the death of one officer and the injury of two other officers and a civilian in Friday’s critical police incident in Fargo:
“Mikey and I are mourning with the Fargo community following the death of one of our brave peace officers, and send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of this officer. We are praying for those injured and the entire Fargo Police Department. This tragic event is a reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officials face each and every day, and the enormous debt we owe them for their sacrifices to keep our communities safe. Our prayers are with the Fargo Police Department and all our law enforcement officials during this difficult time.”
Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement regarding Friday’s incident in Fargo in which a Fargo Police Department officer died and two fellow officers sustained injuries and were in critical condition. A civilian also sustained serious injuries, and the suspect died as a result of the shooting, police said.
“These officers dedicate their lives to protecting our fellow citizens and our communities, and we are heartbroken by this tragic loss,” Burgum said. “Kathryn and I extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased officer, the Fargo Police Department and the entire law enforcement community as they mourn the loss of a fellow officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. We also pray for the full recovery of the officers and civilian who were wounded in this horrible incident, which is a tragic reminder that our law enforcement officers risk their lives every day for our safety and deserve our unwavering gratitude and support.”
The U.S. and North Dakota flags will be flown at half-staff on the day of the deceased officer’s interment. An official flag directive will be issued when memorial services are announced.
A memorial has been set up at the intersection where the shooting happened Friday, July 14th.