“We’re Not Going to Back Off”: Mourning a Fallen Officer

A fatal shooting that took the life of Fargo Police Officer Jason Moszer shakes the valley and is still rattling local law enforcement.

The alleged shooter, 49-year-old Marcus Schumacher started an 11-hour standoff with law enforcement that ended with his own death.

KVRR continues our team coverage with reporter Diane Thao, who has been with the story since this morning.

Officials say around 9:30 last night, multiple rounds were shot from the suspect’s home and Officer Moszer was hit.

He was taken to Sanford with life threatening injuries and later, his family was asked to come and say goodbye.

“It’s been an ugly day obviously here in our community. In our face,” said Cass County Sheriff Paul Laney.

Fargo native and Iraq War veteran Officer Jason Moszer, 33,  was pronounced dead around 12:45 this afternoon.

Moszer served on the Fargo Police Department for six years and leaves behind a wife and two kids.

The shooting hits home for officers, especially the Fargo Police Department.
 
“Law enforcement is a tight family. You work the streets with those guys every day. It’s a brotherhood and sisterhood. So that’s what it’s like. It’s like losing a brother,” said Fargo Police Chief David Todd.
 
The North Dakota BCI and Cass County Sheriff’s Office is taking over the investigation since the Fargo Police Department was involved in the fatal shooting, making them the victim of a crime.

All agencies nearby are asked to assist but they’ll be missing a key part of their unit.
 
“He was a guy that comes to work with a face on his face every day. He loved working out on the street with his fellow officers. They loved working with him. He was an all-around great guy. And it’s a terrible loss for our department,” said Chief Todd.
 
The loss of Officer Moszer was unpredicted, but Sheriff Laney said that the bearcat used on the scene was an absolute lifesaver for officers.
 
“That bearcat had it not been on scene that night, we would’ve had a lot more cops wounded or killed,” said Sheriff Laney.
 
He says a chunk of their souls have been taken today, but they will not let this dampen their mission to protect and serve.
 
“We have to honor him, we got to honor his memory. And we’re going to honor our profession and we’re not going to quit and we’re not going to back off.”

The BCI will continue to investigate and hopes to have a report within 30 days.

They plan to forward their findings to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.