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On March 7, 2025, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Bismarck police officers responded to a report of a woman appearing intoxicated in an SUV parked at a homeless shelter. Upon arrival, they encountered 53-year-old Melanie Udell. As officers engaged with her, Udell attempted to drive away and was ordered to stop. She allegedly swerved the vehicle toward an officer, missing initially, but on a second attempt, struck an officer, throwing him over a snowbank. In response, both officers fired their weapons at Udell. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The officer who was struck was treated and released from the hospital. Both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

https://www.kxnet.com/news/local-news/breaking-officer-involved-shooting-near-12th-street-south-in-bismarck/ 

On December 29, 2024, Bureau of Indian Affairs police officers conducted a traffic stop involving 34-year-old Jordan Parisien in the Turtle Mountains region of Rolette County, North Dakota. During the encounter, officers alleged that Parisien exhibited unspecified threatening behavior. An officer opened fire, killing him. Family members have expressed concerns about the circumstances surrounding the shooting, seeking clarity and justice. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is handling the investigation, as the shooting victim is Native American.
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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES:
Fatalities: 1 (Jordan Parisien)

https://www.valleynewslive.com/2024/12/30/man-killed-officer-involved-shooting-turtle-mountains-no-threat-public/

https://www.valleynewslive.com/2024/12/30/family-belcourt-man-killed-officer-involved-shooting-speaks-out/

On December 3, 2024, at approximately 1:17 a.m., Jamestown Police Department officers responded to reports of an armed individual behind Fred's Den bar, located at 113 1st Ave. S. The individual, identified as 27-year-old Devin Quinn Fontenot, had been involved in a physical altercation inside the bar and was subsequently removed. After being escorted outside, Fontenot allegedly began firing multiple rounds at the building, shattering windows and endangering patrons and nearby residents.
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Upon arrival, Sgt. Cory Beckman encountered Fontenot actively discharging his firearm in the parking lot. Sgt. Beckman opened fire, striking Fontenot. Fontenot was transported to Jamestown Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead from gunshot wounds.
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The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducted a thorough review of the incident. Stutsman County State's Attorney Fritz Fremgen concluded that Sgt. Beckman's use of deadly force was justified, stating that there was no basis for criminal charges against the officer.

https://www.valleynewslive.com/2024/12/03/jamestown-man-dead-after-officer-involved-shooting/
https://www.citynip.com/jamestown-officers-deadly-force-in-december-shooting-justified/

On November 23, 2024, at approximately 2:20 a.m., Fargo Police Department officers responded to a domestic aggravated assault and shooting incident in the 5500 block of 36th Avenue South, Fargo, North Dakota. The shooter, 30-year-old Fargo resident Mesud Heco, pursued the assault victim into a neighboring occupied townhome and fired a gun, injuring an occupant. Both the initial victim and the townhome occupant sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
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Following the incident, Heco fled the scene. Utilizing the city's FLOCK camera system, officers located his vehicle in the 800 block of 34th Street North. The Red River Valley SWAT team deployed an armored vehicle and a drone to approach and assess the situation. Upon inspection, officers discovered Heco deceased inside the vehicle from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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Last update: 11/24/2024

https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/two-people-hospitalized-following-domestic-assault-and-shooting-in-fargo-suspect-dead
https://kfgo.com/2024/11/23/two-injured-suspect-dead-after-shooting-near/

Peter Greco was allegedly in a mental health crisis in his home. EMTs requested police to help. He was suicidal and armed. Police shot killed him.

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/fargo-police-say-officers-fatal-shot-suicidal-individual/

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/fargo-police-shooting-armed-man-officers-identified/

Dickinson Police arrived at a home where domestic disturbance was reported. It is unknown how police approached the man, but he allegedly picked up a handgun which calls police to shoot and kill him.

https://www.kfyrtv.com/2024/10/26/officer-involved-shooting-reported-dickinson/

Minot PD were sent to a domestic disturbance during which police overheard in an argument that a man had made threats to use a gun. Police shot and killed him. It is not known whether he used a gun or even had one.

https://www.pottsmerc.com/2024/10/25/upper-perk-police-officer-cleared-in-fatal-shooting/

https://www.kxnet.com/news/top-stories/minot-man-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting-friday-morning/

North Dakota Highway Patrol attempted to traffic stop a vehicle that did not stop. Police escalated to Chase and Morton County deputies joined them. Between them, the officers used spice strips to deflate the tires and the vehicle stopped. The man allegedly fired on police and two troopers and one deputy all fired their weapons shooting and killing the man. A female passenger in the vehicle was not hit by bullets.

https://www.kfyrtv.com/2024/09/03/ndhp-officer-involved-shooting-after-tuesday-morning-chase/

Police traffic stopped a man who exited his vehicle with a gun. Police engaged in a half hour standoff when the man died from suicide under police duress.

https://www.kxnet.com/news/top-stories/traffic-stop-leads-to-standoff-and-death-in-southwest-minot/

Williston PD were called about a man with a knife. They arrived in the 1300 block of 18thStreet West, found him and shot and killed him.

https://www.kxnet.com/news/williston-man-dead-after-officer-involved-shooting/

Fargo PD chased Garrett Byrd from a tent where he lived with his girlfriend due to domestic violence accusations. He fled into the Red River and drowned.

https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/fargo-police-cleared-of-wrongdoing-after-suspect-drowns-during-investigation

West Fargo PD pursued a vehicle involved in a domestic call and ordered the man to get out of the vehicle. Police allege that he had a gun and shot and killed him.

https://www.inforum.com/news/one-person-dies-by-suicide-sunday-afternoon-during-traffic-stop-in-west-fargo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm4TZwfq9OI

https://www.valleynewslive.com/video/2024/02/12/west-fargo-police-department-responds-suicide-death-during-felony-traffic-stop/

https://www.valleynewslive.com/2024/02/11/active-crime-scene-avoid-area-veterans-blvd-fargo/

Police arrived at a “shots fired” call and found a 17-year-old boy with a gun. Three Bismarck officers fired and killed him. No other data is available so far.

https://www.kfyrtv.com/2023/11/12/early-morning-officer-involved-shooting-bismarck-17-year-old-male-deceased/
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https://www.fox26houston.com/news/houston-shooting-19-year-old-killed-in-shootout-with-police-officers-on-us-59-at-chimney-rock

Fargo Police officers arrived at a routine traffic accident call on 25th Street and 9th Avenue South 37-year-old Mohamed Barakat started shooting at police. Three of the officers were shot, including Jake Wallin, Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes. A 25-year-old woman from Fargo was also shot and suffered serious injuries. Police shot and killed Mohamed Baraket.

https://www.valleynewslive.com/2023/07/15/fargo-police-identify-officer-killed-line-duty/

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/officer-killed-fargo-north-dakota-shooting-suspect-dead/

Ronald Dale Shaw was on a motorcycle headed north on 8th Avenue SW around 6:15 p.m. on May 20, 2023. Dale collided with a westbound North Dakota Highway Patrol SUV driven by 26-year-old Halima Khalifa. Dale was thrown from the motorcycle and suffered fatal injuries.

https://www.kfyrtv.com/2023/05/21/motorcyclist-killed-crash-with-police-vehicle-mandan/

https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/news/north-dakota/mandan-officer-involved-in-injury-crash

Fargo PD were called to a residence because a man had a gun. Police arrived and allegedly heard gunshots. Police created a standoff and Andrew Martinez refused to leave his home. When he emerged, he allegedly had a gun. Police shot and killed him.

https://www.wrightfuneral.com/obituaries/andrew-james-martinez

https://apnews.com/article/health-police-shootings-north-dakota-mental-eea9d390b78297cd23708a4adf975c6d

https://redmannlawpc.com/legal-expert-weighs-in-on-deadly-shooting-of-mapleton-man-by-officers/

https://www.valleynewslive.com/2022/09/19/we-wish-that-more-would-have-been-done-family-speaks-out-officer-involved-shooting/

https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/live-at-9-a-m-update-on-deadly-officer-involved-shooting-in-mapleton

Fargo police allege that they tried to traffic-stop Shane Nettlerville who “drove toward officers” who shot and killed him.

https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/police-block-off-roads-near-south-fargo-apartment-building

https://www.kvrr.com/2022/07/09/man-killed-by-police-officer-in-south-fargo-identified/

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/07/08/fargo-police-shoot-kill-driver-of-van

https://www.kvrr.com/2022/07/08/officer-involved-shooting-leaves-man-in-critical-condition/

https://trendfool.com/news/friend-talks-about-nettervilles-death-need-to-see-body-cam-footage/

https://www.kvrr.com/2022/08/29/watch-attorney-general-rules-fatal-fargo-police-shooting-justified/

https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/fargo-police-say-officer-didnt-violate-policies-in-fatal-shooting

A man was engaged in a fight at his child's preschool. Police arrived and shot and killed him.

http://www.dailymagazine.news/investigation-finds-no-wrongdoing-by-hettinger-county-deputy-in-shooting-death-nid-1893595.html

https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/i-thought-he-was-going-to-kill-me-new-details-emerge-about-deadly-police-shooting-at-north-dakota-school

https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/news/investigation-finds-no-wrongdoing-by-hettinger-county-deputy-in-shooting-death

On September 7, 2021, Trooper Stephen Mayer of the North Dakota Highway Patrol initiated a pursuit of 45-year-old Craig Knutson, who was reported for alleged reckless driving on I-94 near New Salem. The trooper escalated the chase, which continued for 21 miles at high speeds. During the pursuit, other troopers deployed spike strips, and Trooper Mayer executed a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver, causing Knutson’s vehicle to spin and come to a stop.
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After the vehicle stopped, Knutson was reportedly seen to have a gun. Trooper Mayer fired a shot, fatally wounding Knutson. A revolver was later found inside the vehicle. There are no claims that Knutson pointed the weapon at police.
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The incident was investigated by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Morton County State’s Attorney’s Office cleared Trooper Mayer of any wrongdoing.
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Total Fatalities/Injuries during this police encounter: 1 fatality (Craig Knutson)

• https://www.kvrr.com/2021/10/06/watch-trooper-justified-in-morton-county-shooting-dashcam-video-released/
• https://apnews.com/article/shootings-north-dakota-montana-billings-1a5b91466a9042f36745bb4475881ea9
• https://apnews.com/article/billings-north-dakota-montana-shootings-5336a91c0e76ebd0365ab7b21e7b5bd0
 

On August 7, 2021, at approximately 12:44 a.m., Bismarck police officers responded to a report of a man acting erratically and screaming outside a residence on East Turnpike Avenue. Upon arrival, officers observed 43-year-old Ryan Pederson attempting to jump a privacy fence into a neighboring property. Pederson appeared agitated, allegedly yelled at officers, and advanced toward them. Police engaged him in a physical altercation while attempting to arrest him.
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During the struggle, Pederson was Tasered. It is unknown how many times the Taser was deployed or in which manner. Pederson immediately struggled with control of his arms and legs, suffering a medical emergency. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He had been unarmed.
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An autopsy revealed that Pederson had amphetamine and methamphetamine in his system, which is known to enhance the effects of Taser usage. The Burleigh County State’s Attorney's Office cleared the officers of any wrongdoing.
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Total Fatalities/Injuries during this police encounter: 1 fatality (Ryan Pederson)

https://www.kxnet.com/news/top-stories/bismarck-officers-cleared-in-2021-death-of-ryan-pederson/
https://www.apnews.com/article/bismarck-96623023dc67a1d1ab1e567b77137b83
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bismarcktribune/name/ryan-pederson-obituary?id=14064783

On 05/19/2021, deputies from the Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office escalated a southbound chase on I-29, reaching speeds exceeding 100 mph. They deployed stop sticks south of Hillsboro, puncturing both front tires of the vehicle. The driver, Randy Cole, continued driving on the front rims, entered a construction zone, crossed the centerline into oncoming traffic, and collided with a northbound semi-truck. Cole was pronounced dead at the crash site. The incident is under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality.
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Last Update: 12/30/2024
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https://www.nd.gov/ndhp/sites/www/files/documents/News/2021%20Media%20Release/May%202021%20Media%20Release/2021.5.20.TraillCounty.I-29.Fatal%20Crash.UPDATE.pdf

On 05/17/2021, the Dickinson Police Department responded to a report of a domestic incident involving a weapon at the 3300 block of Fourth Avenue East around 1:14 a.m. Upon arrival, officers reported that Xavier A. Kilby fired from inside the apartment toward officers or another individual. Police opened fire, striking Kilby. He was pronounced deceased at the location. The incident is under investigation by the Dickinson Police Department and other involved agencies.
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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICEENCOUNTER: 1 fatality
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Last Update: 12/30/2024

https://www.kxnet.com/news/top-stories/name-of-man-killed-in-dickinson-police-involved-shooting-released/
https://www.inforum.com/news/domestic-violence-call-turns-deadly-following-shootout-with-police-in-dickinson
https://www.kxnet.com/news/top-stories/1-dead-1-injured-in-dickinson-shooting-involving-police/
https://apnews.com/article/nd-state-wire-dickinson-shootings-police-9698d4aeba6c6158d58a18c0f9775ffd

On 03/17/2021, officers from the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs chased a vehicle driven by David Suarez near Fort Totten, North Dakota. Details are unclear, but when the pursuit stopped, Suarez allegedly stopped. A BIA officer allegedly engaged Suarez in a fight. During the altercation, the officer opened fire, killing Suarez. He is believed to have been unarmed. The shooting is under investigation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
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TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality.
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Last Update: 12/30/2024

https://www.inforum.com/news/i-watched-my-boyfriend-die-girlfriend-of-man-killed-by-police-on-spirit-lake-reservation-describes-deadly-traffic-stop
https://www.kvrr.com/2021/03/18/one-dead-in-officer-involved-shooting-near-fort-totten/
https://www.minotdailynews.com/news/local-news/2021/03/fbi-investigating-police-shooting-on-spirit-lake-reservation/
https://www.justicefornativepeople.com/2023/12/david-suarez-police-killing-in-north.html