Officer killed in Fargo shooting ID'd as Jake Wallin; suspect, Mohamed Barakat, also killed; 2 officers critical
FARGO, N.D. -- Police in Fargo confirmed that an officer was dead and two others injured after a shooting on Friday afternoon. The suspect was also killed, and a civilian sustained serious injuries.
On Saturday afternoon, Fargo police released more information about the officers involved, including identifying the one who was killed -- 23-year-old Jake Wallin, who became a police officer in April 2023 after graduating from the Fargo Police Academy IV.
The two officers who sustained critical injuries are Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes. They were listed in critical but stable condition.
Police say that the suspect, 37-year-old Fargo resident Mohamad Barakat, died of his injuries at a local health care facility. Police say he was taken down by Fargo police officer Zachary Robinson, who has been with the department for seven years. Robinson has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard in these cases.
"The events of the last 24 hours have been among the most difficult in our department's nearly 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," Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski said.
Witnesses report hearing bullets
Witnesses said a man opened fire on police officers before other officers shot him around 3 p.m. on Friday. Shortly afterward, officers converged on a residential area about 2 miles away and evacuated residents while gathering what they said was evidence related to the shooting.
Witnesses reported seeing and hearing gunshots in the area. Shannon Nichole told KFGO Radio she was driving at the time.
"I saw the traffic stop and as soon as I drove, shots were fired and I saw the cops go down," Nichole said. "My airbag went off and the bullet went through my driver's door."
A man grabbed her and said they needed to get out of the area, Nichole said.
Chenoa Peterson told The Associated Press that she was driving with her 22-year-old daughter when a man pulled out a gun and began firing at police: "He proceeds to aim it and you just hear the bullets go off, and I'm like, 'Oh, my God! He's shooting!'"
Peterson's first instinct was to pull over and try to help, but having her daughter there convinced her to leave. "It's weird knowing that if you were 10 seconds earlier you could have been in that," she said.
Surveillance video provided by Fargo resident Allison Carlson captured the rapid sounds of gunfire.
Bo Thi was working alone at a nail salon near the shooting scene when she heard what sounded like fireworks or a motorcycle backfiring. She said gunshots didn't cross her mind at the time.
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"We sincerely are asking for your patience and our community's patience and understanding as the Fargo Police Department works through this incident," Gregg Schildberger, chief communications officer for the city, told reporters at the scene later in the day. "This is very difficult on all of us. We are releasing as much information as we can at this point. … We appreciate all the messages from the community that have been given to us in support of our officers."
Police and other local agencies across the region posted their sympathies for Fargo police on Facebook.
"Thinking of our brothers and sisters in Fargo," read a post from the South Dakota Fraternal Order of Police.
"Please keep the blue lights shining to show our support of not only our local law enforcement, but also those affected by today's events!" read a post from the Glenwood Fire Department in Minnesota.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz also tweeted his support, saying "Our thoughts are with the family of the Fargo police officer killed yesterday in the line of duty, the two injured officers, and the community reeling from this senseless tragedy."
"Minnesota stands ready to support in any way we can," he added.
The Minnesota National Guard confirmed Wallin served starting in December 2017 and said he was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq from November 2020 to July 2021.
"The citizen Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard extend our deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Sgt. Jake Wallin. His death is a loss to our military family as well," Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard's adjutant general, said. "He lived a life of service -- not only to his state and nation but his community. We are grateful for his commitment to others even in the face of danger."
