FARGO, N.D. – On July 14, 2023 three police officers and an innocent bystander were ambushed by a lone gunman. One of those heroes, Police Officer Jake Wallin, was fatally shot. Police Officer Tyler Hawes and Police Officer Andrew Dotas were both critically wounded, but have finally been released from the hospital.
According to reports, Hawes was released just two days after his fellow brother in blue, Dotas. A press release from the Fargo Police Department (FPD) confirms that Hawes spent 24 days at Sanford Health.
Both officers had several co-workers, family members, friends, community members, and hospital staff lining hospital halls on multiple floors and walkways extending outside of the facility, showcasing their overwhelming love and support.
The walkouts from the hospital can be viewed here. In a Facebook post accompanying Hawes video, FBD wrote, “We are elated and honored to share his walkout of the hospital with our community; you have been incredibly supportive during this trying time … Please keep Officer Hawes, his family and friends in your thoughts as he continues his recovery journey."
www.facebook.com/fargopolicedepartment/videos/308713904848341
Officer Dotas spent 22 days in Sanford Health. In a Facebook post accompanying a recovery update, FBD wrote, “The support of our community has been incredibly impactful on all of us and we sincerely appreciate the words of support and prayers."
All three officers and the innocent bystander, identified as Karlee Koswick, were shot by 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat. Koswick was shot twice and has since been released from the hospital.
The ambush happened near the intersection of 25th Street South and Ninth Avenue South after what authorities called a routine response to a car accident. Fargo Police Officer Zachary Robinson shot and killed Barakat at the scene.
According to FOX9, Barakat later died at the hospital. Drew Wrigley, North Dakota Attorney General said that if it were for Robinson’s swift actions, many more people may have become victims that day. “What he was standing between was not just the horrible events that were unfolding there," Wrigley said, "but the horrible events that Mohamed Barakat had planned, had envisioned and intended, and armed himself beyond fully for."
A thorough forensic review of Barakat’s personal computer revealed that the armed gunman was searching terms like “explosive ammo," “kill fast,” and “mass shooting events." Reports indicate that his last search the night before the shooting was about the downtown Fargo street fair.
“In the days leading up to there he’s looking specifically to the region, he’s looking for large crowd events in the region," Wrigley said.
As of this writing, authorities have not released a specific motive for the ambush, but investigators have not given up. “What could possibly motivate someone to ambush young police officers in the line of duty?" Wrigley continued. "How could murderous chaos and this type of evil arise on a familiar street in Fargo, North Dakota”?
According to authorities, Barakat was not on a terror watch list, but there was a guardian report made on him, which Wrigley said is a way for the public to engage with law enforcement. The report, however, was not regarding any threats or violence.
Barakat was a Syrian national who came to the United States on an asylum request back in 2012.
According to reports, Hawes was released just two days after his fellow brother in blue, Dotas. A press release from the Fargo Police Department (FPD) confirms that Hawes spent 24 days at Sanford Health.
Both officers had several co-workers, family members, friends, community members, and hospital staff lining hospital halls on multiple floors and walkways extending outside of the facility, showcasing their overwhelming love and support.
The walkouts from the hospital can be viewed here. In a Facebook post accompanying Hawes video, FBD wrote, “We are elated and honored to share his walkout of the hospital with our community; you have been incredibly supportive during this trying time … Please keep Officer Hawes, his family and friends in your thoughts as he continues his recovery journey."
www.facebook.com/fargopolicedepartment/videos/308713904848341
Officer Dotas spent 22 days in Sanford Health. In a Facebook post accompanying a recovery update, FBD wrote, “The support of our community has been incredibly impactful on all of us and we sincerely appreciate the words of support and prayers."
All three officers and the innocent bystander, identified as Karlee Koswick, were shot by 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat. Koswick was shot twice and has since been released from the hospital.
The ambush happened near the intersection of 25th Street South and Ninth Avenue South after what authorities called a routine response to a car accident. Fargo Police Officer Zachary Robinson shot and killed Barakat at the scene.
According to FOX9, Barakat later died at the hospital. Drew Wrigley, North Dakota Attorney General said that if it were for Robinson’s swift actions, many more people may have become victims that day. “What he was standing between was not just the horrible events that were unfolding there," Wrigley said, "but the horrible events that Mohamed Barakat had planned, had envisioned and intended, and armed himself beyond fully for."
A thorough forensic review of Barakat’s personal computer revealed that the armed gunman was searching terms like “explosive ammo," “kill fast,” and “mass shooting events." Reports indicate that his last search the night before the shooting was about the downtown Fargo street fair.
“In the days leading up to there he’s looking specifically to the region, he’s looking for large crowd events in the region," Wrigley said.
As of this writing, authorities have not released a specific motive for the ambush, but investigators have not given up. “What could possibly motivate someone to ambush young police officers in the line of duty?" Wrigley continued. "How could murderous chaos and this type of evil arise on a familiar street in Fargo, North Dakota”?
According to authorities, Barakat was not on a terror watch list, but there was a guardian report made on him, which Wrigley said is a way for the public to engage with law enforcement. The report, however, was not regarding any threats or violence.
Barakat was a Syrian national who came to the United States on an asylum request back in 2012.
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