Funeral Service Set for North Dakota Officer Slain in Fargo Ambush

The Fargo law enforcement officer tragically killed during a surprise attack while attending a routine traffic accident is scheduled to be honored and laid to rest this Saturday in Minnesota.

The 23-year-old officer, Jake Wallin, tragically lost his life on July 14, when a heavily armed individual opened fire during a routine traffic incident response. The attacker was armed with multiple firearms, explosives, and 1,800 rounds of ammunition. Wallin, along with two other officers and a civilian, were caught in the gunfire before a fourth officer returned fire and killed the assailant, Mohamad Barakat. Law enforcement officers believe that the actions of the fourth officer potentially prevented a more extensive, deadly attack on the city.

Wallin, who had recently been sworn in as a Fargo police officer in April and was still undergoing field training, was posthumously cremated in his uniform. On Saturday, his ashes will be accompanied by the Fargo Police Department to Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, for a funeral service.

Having served as a military veteran, Wallin was part of the Minnesota Army National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq from November 2020 to July 2021, as confirmed by a Minnesota National Guard spokesperson. Wallin will be awarded final military honors during a private burial.

Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski praised Wallin’s dedication to serving his country and community during a media briefing following the tragic incident. Authorities shared a video that highlighted Wallin’s training and his eagerness to serve as an officer.

Other law enforcement agencies from across the country plan to attend the funeral, with a convoy from Sioux Falls police and the South Dakota Highway Patrol setting off from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for the five-and-a-half-hour trip to the service, as reported by KELO-TV.

In honor of Wallin, flags across Minnesota and North Dakota will fly at half-mast until Saturday. A public memorial service has been organized for Wednesday in Fargo, with North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum scheduled to attend and offer remarks.

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley released further details about the horrifying ambush on Friday, which also left Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes and a civilian wounded.

Barakat, the assailant, was identified as a Syrian national who moved to the U.S. in 2012 following an asylum request and subsequently became a U.S. citizen in 2019. Barakat had been searching online for disturbing terms related to violence and mass shootings over the past five years.

Authorities believe that if Officer Zach Robinson hadn’t fatally shot Barakat, the tragedy could have been even more devastating. According to Wrigley, Barakat harbored a clear intention to kill fueled by hatred, but it was not directed towards any specific group. There was no evidence suggesting a specific animosity towards the police. The chance encounter with the traffic accident seems to have diverted Barakat from his primary intended target, although that target remains unknown.

Wrigley praised Robinson as the critical line of defense at that moment, preventing not just the unfolding attack but also the larger catastrophic event that Barakat had planned and prepared for.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Fargo Officer Ambush Funeral

More about Fargo Officer Ambush Funeral

• Fargo Police Department
• Minnesota Army National Guard
• North Dakota Attorney General
• KELO-TV News Report