A hostage was successfully rescued during a tense officer-involved shooting incident on December 5, 2023, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Law enforcement responded to a report of a woman holding a man hostage in an apartment located in the 1400 block of 10th Avenue North. Officers from both the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office and the Grand Forks Police Department were involved in the operation.
According to a statement from the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office, the situation escalated when the hostage-taker called 911 to report the incident. Responding officers determined that immediate action was necessary due to “exigent circumstances,” prompting them to breach the apartment door to protect the hostage.
Once inside, officers observed both the hostage and the suspect, who posed an imminent threat. In response, a deputy discharged his firearm multiple times, hitting the suspect several times. Fortunately, the hostage was unharmed throughout the encounter.
Emergency medical personnel arrived shortly after the shooting, providing immediate assistance to the suspect, who was subsequently transported to Altru Hospital. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that no officers sustained injuries during the incident, and they reassured the public that there was no ongoing threat to community safety.
In accordance with standard procedure, the deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is under investigation. The Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Grand Forks Police Department and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, is actively looking into the details surrounding the event.
Authorities encourage anyone with information related to this incident to contact the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office at 701-780-8280. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
