UPDATED: Fargo Police Chief releases update on injured officers

July 21, 2023 - 1:32pm | By Chris Larson

5:55 p.m. Update -- (FARGO) -- In a late Friday afternoon video, Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski gave more detail into the conditions of officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes.

Zibolski said Dotas is still in critcal, but stable, condition.

"He has been up on his feet and doing a little walking," Zibolski said. "We are really heartened by all of that."

Hawes, Zibolski said, has been upgraded to stable condition.

"He (Hawes) has also been on his feet," Zibolski said. "So we are just elated."

He referred to the pair of officers as "guardians."

ORIGINAL STORY -- (FARGO) – The two police officers injured in last Friday’s fatal shooting, which took the life of Fargo Police officer Jake Wallin, are improving, Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski said in a Friday morning press conference at Fargo City Hall.

“Officers (Andrew) Dotas and (Tyler) Hawes have been able to stand out of their beds briefly,” Zibolski said. Hawes and Dotas sustained gunshot wounds as a result of the shooting in downtown Fargo.

Dotas, a six-year officer of the Fargo Police Department, and Hawes, a Fargo Police officer since April 19 of this year, were two of four officers that responded to the scene of a reported accident last Friday afternoon. Officer Zachary Robinson, a seven-year Fargo police officer, ultimately ended the threat by neutralizing the suspect, Mohamad Barakat, by eliminating his long rifle and then shooting the suspect.

Zibolski said both Dotas and Hawes have a significant road to recovery, and will rejoin the Fargo Police Department as soon as they are able to do so.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday morning in Pequot Lakes, Minn., at 10:30 a.m. at the Pequot Lakes High School. AM 1100 The Flag and AM 970 WDAY will have live coverage online and via the station’s mobile apps.

A community Celebration of Life service is also scheduled for Wednesday, July 26 at 1 p.m. at Fargo’s Scheels Arena. More details will be released on the situation in the coming days.