Fargo Officer on Leave After Early Morning Shooting

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A wrong–way driver down 13th avenue south ends up being shot by a Fargo police officer.

It all unfolded starting at three o’clock this morning.

When police officers arrived, what appeared to be a gun with a laser pointer was drawn by a man, and an officer then fired.

It turns out it was just a BB gun.

Traill County and Cass County Officers were already in pursuit of a stolen vehicle earlier that morning, the same vehicle traveling the wrong way down 13th Avenue South.

Minutes later, officers arrived at Walmart’s parking lot where the suspects, a 31-year-old male, whose name has not been released, and 31-year-old Jennifer Stegman were attempting to run away.

“And when the officer arrived he was confronted by this individual that had a what he believed to be a weapon in his hand with a laser pointer,” says Lt. Michael Mitchell of the Fargo PD. 

The officer and man circled the police car, both with weapons drawn.

“The suspect actually pointed it and chased the officer around the car.”

Shots were fired by Fargo Police Officer Patrick Thomas.

It was later discovered that the man’s gun was a BB gun.

“A Walmart manager on duty at the time tells me that the female suspect approached one of the cart pushers. She said someone had been shot. She was also barefoot and asked if she could get some shoes.”

Police are looking at surveillance video from the nearby Valvoline Shop, which lost business during the investigation.

“We usually do right around 15, maybe 20 cars right now. We did five. You know they’re only doing their job so I see they’re taking the tapes down now so I’ll get my clients back,” says Thomas Iverson, manager of Valvoline.

His condition is unknown. 

Charges are expected.

Officer Thomas is currently on administrative leave.