Fargo shooter had 2 interactions with law enforcement since 2021 concerning weapons, ammo and propane tanks

FARGO (KFGO) – The gunman who killed a Fargo police officer, wounded two other officers and a civilian reportedly admitted to owning nearly a dozen guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition in a 2022 police interview following a kitchen fire at his home.

According to a report provided to The Associated Press on Wednesday by the City of Fargo Fire Department, firefighters who responded to the scene notified Fargo police after seeing guns, ammunition and propane tanks in Mohamad Barakat’s apartment. 

In his Sept. 6, 2022 fire report, Fargo Battalion Chief Jason Ness noted what appeared to be “a significant amount of gun ammunition,” “multiple ‘assault style’ rifles,” a 20-pound propane cylinder in a bedroom, a second smaller propane cylinder in the kitchen, as well as, a “funnel, blender, and other items that looked to be for measuring purposes.”

Ness also wrote in his report: “The individual admitted to owning approximately 10 guns and 6,000 rounds of ammunition. My decision to refer the issue to PD was based on the presence of the guns, several high capacity magazines, and the presence of propane tanks with no means of using the tanks for cooking or grilling.”

The Fargo Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding their 2022 interview with Barakat, however, in a previous interview, Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski said that he believed police had prior contact with Barakat, but it was, quote, “not anything significant.”

The 2022 fire was at least the second time authorities interviewed Barakat about his guns. 

The FBI and Fargo Police Department said last week that the FBI received an anonymous tip about Barakat in July 2021 in which concerns were expressed about his mental state, that he had access to a ” significant number of firearms ” and that he had used threatening language.

Fargo police detectives visited Barakat, who “denied any ill-intentions,” according to the statement.

The FBI and FPD said that because there was no evidence of ongoing illegal activities or indications of an immediate threat, no further action was taken at the time.

Wrigley has said it appears Barakat legally purchased his guns. 

Story by Ryan Janke / KFGO