Earlier this month, a shooting ambush in Fargo left one police officer dead, two others injured, and a bystander injured. Law enforcement officials on Thursday released video footage from that incident. Authorities claim that the attack could have been much worse.
A news conference was held late in the morning by Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski and North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley. Officer Zach Robinson shot and killed the suspect in the end, according to body camera footage they showed.
Authorities claim that on July 14, the shooter, Mohamad Barakat, 37, shot and killed Fargo Police Officer Jake Wallin and injured Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes while they were responding to an ordinary traffic accident. Karlee Koswick, a bystander who attempted to flee, was also hurt by Barakat. In response to summertime celebrations taking place nearby, a fourth officer, Robinson, shot and killed Barakat, stopping what authorities claim could have been a much larger attack.
A barrage of gunshots can be heard as Robinson is working at an accident scene on a busy road in the video. Robinson and the suspect engage in gunfire exchanges as the suspect hides out in a parked car by a nearby store.
“We’ve got three officers down – send everybody,” Robinson can be heard yelling.
On camera, Robinson can be seen moving closer to the suspect while yelling at him to drop the gun and raise his hands. According to authorities, Robinson again shot Barakat when the latter reached with his left hand for the weapon.
Investigators searched Barakat’s car after the shooting and discovered numerous weapons, 1,800 rounds of ammunition, a homemade grenade, and explosives.
Authorities also said Barakat’s internet queries over the past five years included “kill fast,” “explosive ammo,” “incendiary rounds,” “mass shooting events,” and one for “area events where there are crowds,” which brought up a news article with the headline, “Thousands enjoy first day of Downtown Fargo Street Fair,” a day before the shooting.
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Source: cbsnews
