Police in Fargo, North Dakota, have released intense bodycam footage showing a shooting rampage by a Syrian refugee that occurred last month.
The video, captured by Fargo Police Officer Zach Robinson, shows the chaotic scene as Mohamad Barakat ambushed three police officers and a bystander after a car crash. In the footage, Barakat can be seen firing a barrage of bullets at the officers, prompting Robinson to take cover and call for backup.
The officer returns fire, informing the dispatcher that the suspect is armed with an AK-47. As the gun battle unfolds, Robinson advances towards the parking lot where the officers are downed, ordering Barakat to stop moving and put his hands up. When the suspect fails to comply, Robinson fires multiple shots, eventually neutralizing him. The video ends with a backup officer arriving at the scene.
According to investigators, Robinson fired 31 rounds during the gun battle, with 21 of them striking and killing Barakat. Tragically, Barakat shot and killed 23-year-old Fargo Police Department Officer Jake Wallin. Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes were also shot and wounded, along with Karlee Koswick, who was involved in the car accident. Despite being shot multiple times, Hawes crawled to Dotas to be by his side and offer support. Dotas and Hawes have since been discharged from the hospital, while Koswick was released in July.
North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley stated that Wallin was able to fire one round before being fatally shot by Barakat. Wrigley also emphasized that Robinson's use of deadly force was reasonable, necessary, justified, and lawful. The Fargo Police Department's investigation into the shooting found no violations of the department's use-of-force policy in Robinson's actions. After undergoing a psychological evaluation, Robinson has returned to duty.
The video footage, which lasts for a minute and 46 seconds, captures the intense gun battle between Barakat and Robinson. Wrigley described the duration as a "lifetime" and highlighted the bravery and quick response of Officer Robinson in neutralizing the threat.
Investigators believe that Barakat may have been planning a mass casualty event, as they discovered an arsenal of guns and explosives in his possession. Barakat was armed with a modified .223-caliber rifle, two other rifles, four handguns, and two knives. Additionally, authorities found 1,800 rounds of ammunition, a homemade grenade, and explosives in his vehicle. Barakat's internet search history revealed inquiries related to killing methods, explosive ammunition, mass shooting events, and crowded areas.
Barakat, a Syrian national who arrived in the United States on an asylum request in 2012 and became a U.S. citizen in 2019, had no known motive for the deadly shooting. Authorities have not released any information regarding his background or potential radicalization.
North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley announced that more bodycam footage will be released at a later date, providing a closer look at the distressing scene and the lifesaving care provided to the injured officers. The release of the footage aims to shed further light on the events that unfolded during the shooting rampage.
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