“Minnesota Officer Jake Wallin Killed in Fargo Shootout; Two Others Critical”

Minnesota Native Identified as Officer Killed in Fargo Shootout

A Minnesota native, Jake Wallin, was tragically killed during a shootout in Fargo, North Dakota on Friday. Wallin, 23 years old, grew up in St. Michael and attended Alexandria Technical and Community College before advancing to American Military University. He then served as part of the Minnesota National Guard before joining the Fargo Police Department in April of this year.

During the incident, two other officers, Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes, were also shot and admitted to the hospital in critical condition. Thankfully, they are currently listed as stable. Additionally, a woman was seriously injured by the gunman before Officer Zach Robinson was able to shoot and kill the suspect.

The suspect has been identified as 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat of Fargo. In a press conference, Police Chief David Zibolski stated that there are still many unanswered questions about what happened. The officers were responding to an accident when Barakat opened fire. It appears that Barakat was not involved in the crash. The incident occurred around 3:00 p.m on Friday.

State Representative Walter Hudson, who represents St. Michael, expressed his condolences in a press release on Saturday. He emphasized the need for improved working environments and respect for law enforcement officers. Hudson’s statement read, “We cannot afford to ignore this issue any longer and must do better to improve the working environment for peace officers and foster respect for the profession.”

The loss of Officer Jake Wallin is a devastating tragedy for his family, friends, and fellow law enforcement officers. As the community mourns his untimely death, it is imperative that efforts are made to support and protect those who risk their lives to keep our communities safe..