Fargo, North Dakota police officer Zach Robinson prevented what would have likely been a terrorist attack near a street fair.
Four Fargo police officers were responding to a car crash when 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat opened fire on them from a nearby parking lot.
Officer Jake Wallin, 23, was killed.
Officers Tyler Hawes, 22, and Andrew Dota, 28, were also injured.
Officer Zach Robinson then returned fire for over two minutes, eventually disabling Barakat.
Barakat refused to obey orders from Robinson, who later said the threat had been “neutralized.”
Barakat’s vehicle was found to be carrying handmade explosives, three semi-automatic rifles with 53 magazines, four handguns, and 1,800 rounds of ammunition.
“Most gunfights in law enforcement last seconds, but this gunfight lasted over two minutes,” said Chief of Police David Zibolski.
“Two minutes of exchanging gunfire, moving, taking cover, approaching the suspect as he was still armed and firing, and ultimately neutralizing him, not only over distance but also time.”
When asked if Barakat was planning to target a street fair, North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said, “I believe yes, it was.”
Reporting from Not the Bee:
Robinson is married with a young child and a baby on the way... and he put it all on the line to stop this murderer. ... "He was literally the last man standing." Wrigley said. "The last man standing between what was coming next, and what you can see this assailant was armed for."
