Cop From Twin Cities Metro Killed In Fargo

FARGO, MN — The Fargo police officer who was killed Friday afternoon when a gunman opened fire has been identified as a native of St. Michael, Minnesota.

Jake Wallin, 23, was killed when Mohamad Barakat fired at him, other officers, and firefighters "for no reason," Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski said in a news conference Saturday.

Barakat did not hit any firefighters but a fire truck was struck by gunfire, according to investigators.

Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes were wounded in the shooting. Meanwhile, Officer Zach Robinson shot and killed Barakat, the chief said. Barakat was from Fargo.

Police and firefighters were investigating a "routine" traffic crash on a congested Fargo street when Barakat began shooting at them, according to authorities. Barakat was not involved in the car crash, Zibolski said.

Wallin was in the field for officer training when he was shot and killed. He had become a Fargo police officer less than three months ago.

Previously, Wallin served in the Minnesota Army National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan.

"He served his country, came back here and wanted nothing more but to serve in a position with purpose and meaning – his exact words — and he did that," Zibolski said.

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story.