Attorney General Wrigley: Officer-involved shooting of Andrew Martinez was justified

Image by WDAY News Staff
Image by WDAY News Staff

(Fargo, ND) -- The four officers involved in the deadly shooting of suspect Andrew Martinez in Mapleton on August 1st acted in a manner that was reasonable, justified and lawful. That's according to Attorney General Drew Wrigley. Wrigley announced the conclusion of his investigation at a press conference Monday morning at the Fargo Police Department. The officers involved were identified as Sergeant Travis Moser, Detectives Josh Heller and Ryan Jasper, and Investigator Jordan Korte. Wrigley says the officers opened fire when Martinez pointed an AR-15 rifle at them and others in the area after an hours-long standoff at Martinez's home.

Cass County Sheriff's Deputies were first called to the home around 10:30 in the morning, after receiving reports of shorts fired in the area. Eventually, officers from the Metro Street Crimes Unit, and officers from the North Dakota Highway Patrol also responded to the scene.  

"I feel that the response in this situation was the appropriate response. I feel that everyone on the scene acted professionally. I feel that everybody on the scene did the best that they could to resolve this situation without anyone getting hurt," said Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner, who directed the law enforcement response from the scene. 

Wrigely says during the standoff, a negotiator and others at the scene frequently asked Martinez to surrender. Eventually, Wrigley says Martinez opened the front door of the home, and pointed a rifle at officers, and that's when officers fired their weapons, shooting a total of 20 to 25 rounds. Martinez did not fire his rifle after pointing it at officers.

The attorney general says an autopsy showed Martinez was under the influence of alcohol at the time, and was also involved in other non-disclosed criminal activity earlier that day.

Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski said the officers involved won't be back on patrol until the department conducts its own internal review.