FARGO, ND – Newly unsealed federal search warrant applications shed light on the investigation into the man who ambushed Fargo Police officers last summer, killing one and injuring two others. The documents, unsealed Friday, reveal previous interactions between law enforcement and Mohamad Barakat, the man responsible for the July 14 incident.
The warrants cite two prior engagements with Barakat, including a tip from a woman in Minnesota who expressed concern about Barakat potentially becoming a mass shooter. Additionally, the Cass County Wildlife Club alerted the Cass County Sheriff’s Office that Barakat had been using Tannerite, a binary explosive, at the club’s gun range.
Law enforcement found an extensive cache of ammunition for various caliber firearms, as well as hobby fuses used to create delays in the firing of explosive devices. A modified rifle trigger, similar to the one used by Barakat during the shooting, was also discovered.
The Red River Valley Bomb Squad safely exploded a modified grenade and two propane tanks found in Barakat’s car, creating significant blast zones. An x-ray of the propane tanks showed a “powder line,” suggesting that they were filled with a granular solid material rather than liquid propane.
Additional items found at the shooting scene included a North Dakota College of Science student ID and ND driver’s license in Barakat’s name, multiple firearms, containers for gasoline or propane, and a container labeled Tannerite.
The warrant applications provide new insight into the events leading up to the July 14 shooting, emphasizing the extensive preparations and arsenal of weapons amassed by the attacker. The detailed summary lays bare the severity of the incident and the potential threat Barakat posed to the community.