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Intense bodycam video of hero cop neutralizing Syrian refugee armed with 1,800 rounds of ammo and explosives, possibly thwarting mass casualty event in Fargo
Twitter @HarrisonKrank Video Screenshot

Intense bodycam video of hero cop neutralizing Syrian refugee armed with 1,800 rounds of ammo and explosives, possibly thwarting mass casualty event in Fargo

Police released intense bodycam video on Thursday showing the rampage shooting by a Syrian refugee that happened last month in Fargo, North Dakota.

On July 14, Fargo Police Department officers responded to an automobile accident. Mohamad Barakat was not involved in the car crash, but he reportedly ambushed three police officers.

The video comes from the body camera of Fargo Police Officer Zach Robinson, who was working the car crash on a busy road. Suddenly, Barakat unleashed a barrage of bullets on the three officers and a bystander.

Robinson quickly takes cover behind a car and tells the dispatcher, "Central, shots fired! Central, we got shots fired!"

Robinson returns fire at the gunman, who is standing in a parking lot slightly above the street.

The officer informs the dispatcher, "Central, we got a man with an AK-47, he's shooting at us!"

The officer and gunman exchange more gunfire.

Robinson tells the dispatcher, "Central, shots fired, shots fired! We got three officers down, three officers down! Send everybody!"

Robinson advances to the parking lot as police bodycam video shows the three downed officers on the ground motionless.

Bodycam footage shows Barakat is laid out on the pavement and is slowly moving. The suspect's rifle can be seen in the bodycam video.

Robinson orders the suspect to stop moving and put his hands up.

Barakat moves again and the officer fires three shots at the gunman.

The cop reloads his firearm, then instructs Barakat to drop the handgun that is in his right hand. After he fails to drop the gun, the officer shoots Barakat eight more times.

The suspect continues to move around on the ground.

The officer repeatedly screams, "Drop the gun!"

Robinson circles around a car that Barakat is hiding behind. Robinson fires a burst of five rounds at the armed suspect.

At this point, the suspect appears to be neutralized. A backup officer finally appears at the bloody crime scene, and the video ends.

Investigators said Robinson fired 31 rounds during the gun battle, 21 of which struck Barakat and killed him.

Barakat shot and killed 23-year-old Fargo Police Department Officer Jake Wallin.

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said Wallin was able to fire one round before Barakat struck him with a single lethal shot.

The 37-year-old Syrian refugee shot and wounded Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes. He also injured Karlee Koswick, who was involved in the car accident.

Hawes also was shot multiple times and was unable to walk, but he crawled to Dotas "to be at his side, to be holding his hand, to be calling his name, to be willing him to live," Wrigley said.

Dotas and Hawes were discharged from the hospital earlier this month, while Koswick left the hospital in July.

Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski said of the hero cop, "A very chaotic situation, a very tremendous job on his part."

Last month, Wrigley said Robinson’s use of deadly force "was reasonable, it was necessary, it was justified, and in all ways, it was lawful."

Deputy Chief Joe Anderson said the Fargo Police Department's investigation into the police shooting did not find any use-of-force policy violations in Robinson’s actions.

Robinson returned to duty after a psychological evaluation.

Wrigley said of the deadly gun battle, "It's a minute and 46 seconds. 1 minute, 46 seconds between the first barrage from Barakat’s .223 to the neutralization of Barakat by Officer Robinson. Anybody who you’ve ever talked to, who’s been in a firefight of this kind, will tell you a minute and 46 seconds is a lifetime."

Investigators believe Barakat may have been planning a mass casualty event since he had an arsenal of guns and explosives. Barakat was armed with a .223-caliber rifle modified with a binary trigger, two other rifles, four handguns, and two knives. Investigators discovered 1,800 rounds of ammunition, a homemade grenade, and explosives in his vehicle.

According to CBS News, Barakat's internet search inquiries over the last five years included: "kill fast," "explosive ammo," "incendiary rounds," "mass shooting events," and "area events where there are crowds."

The day before the deadly shooting, Barakat allegedly clicked on an article titled "Thousands enjoy first day of Downtown Fargo Street Fair." The festival was taking place on the day of the shooting.

The Associated Press reported, "Police visited Barakat’s home and interviewed him at least twice in recent years due to concerns related to his guns, though authorities say he appeared to have acquired the weapons legally."

Barakat was a Syrian national who came to the United States on an asylum request in 2012 and became a U.S. citizen in 2019, Wrigley said.

Authorities did not say what Barakat's motive for the deadly shooting was.

Wrigley announced that more bodycam footage will be released at a later date, which will show "a very significant amount of distress going on, lifesaving care being provided."

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(WARNING: Graphic video)

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Paul Sacca

Paul Sacca

Paul Sacca is a staff writer for Blaze News.
@Paul_Sacca →