"He was a nanosecond from getting that round off": Fallen officer Jake Wallin almost was able to return fire against Barakat in fatal gunfight

(Fargo, ND) -- State officials say the officer fatally struck by gunfire earlier this month was not the first officer hit as initially thought, and instead was nearly able to incapacitate the suspect. 

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley says bodycam video shows Officer Jake Wallin, who was originally described as the first officer shot near 25th Avenue South and 9th Avenue South on July 14th, was able to unholster and point his gun at Mohamad Barakat, the now-dead suspect. 

"He is a nanosecond from getting that round off at very close range on Barakat, who is unleashing a barrage of weapons fire, "said Wrigley.

Wrigley says the bodycam footage the bodycam footage was only recently able to be accessed by authorities. Upon reviewing the footage, authorities say Wallin was able to take a defensive stance, pull out his service weapon, and point it in the direction of Barakat. That is when Barakat fired the round which gave Wallin his fatal injuries. Initial reports suggested Wallin was the first to be struck, but authorities were not able to confirm if he was the first hit by gunfire when asked. 

The footage was seen first just after the Friday press conference, where authorities say Barakat was likely intending on traveling to Fargo's Downtown Street Fair and causing a mass casualty event. 

Wrigley made the comments on The Flag's What's On Your Mind