Christmas Eve Shooting Victim in Minot Was National Guard Member

MINOT, N.D. (KVRR) — An airman with the 119th Wing of the North Dakota National Guard was killed during a shooting in Minot on Christmas Eve.

National Guard has identified the victim as 41-year-old Master Sgt. Nicholas Van Pelt.

He died after a shooting at his apartment in southwest Minot.

Van Pelt was with the 219th Security Forces Squadron at Minot Air Force Base.

He was a native of Ringold, Georgia.

“We have lost a member of our 219th family in this tragic event and our condolences are with Nick’s family.” said Maj. Greg Goodman, 219th Security Forces Squadron commander. “We share in the sorrow felt by his loved ones and remember the amazing friend and Airman that Nick was. As a flight chief, he protected our nation’s most important resources. He supported his community, his state and his country and has left a lasting impact on the 219th.”

“The entire Hooligan family is saddened by the tragic loss of one of our members.” said 119th Wing commander, Col. Mitch Johnson. “Our deepest sympathies go out to Master Sgt. Van Pelt’s family in this time of sorrow as we too mourn the loss of one of our own.”

Van Pelt served as a Ward County Sheriff’s Deputy until May of 2023, when he transitioned to serving full-time with the 219th.

He is survived by three children and parents.

Minot police arrested 39-year-old Daniel Breijo for the shooting which also left a woman wounded.