FBI received anonymous tip in 2021 regarding Mohamad Barakat

(FARGO) -- The Fargo Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation have released new information regarding an anonymous tip the FBI received in July 2021 regarding Mohamad Barakat, the 37-year-old Fargo man who killed Fargo Police Officer Jake Wallin, injured Fargo Police Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes, and injured civilian Karlee Koswick.

"In July 2021, the FBI's National Threat Operations Center received an anonymous tip expressing concern about the mental state of Mohamad Barakat," the statement from the FBI and Fargo Police said. "The tip indicated that Barakat had access to a significant number of firearms and had used threatening language. However, the caller did not provide details about any specific threats made by Barakat and did not say he had violated any laws. Upon receiving the tip, FBI Minneapolis forwarded the matter to the Fargo Police Department."

According to Fargo Police, three separate visits were initiated over a period of two weeks at the residence of Barakat; resulting in no contact in the first two visits. The third visit resulted in detectives observing several firearms, all legal, in Barakat's apartment. Police interviewed Barakat about the tip they had received, and he denied any ill-intentions.