Barakat shot and killed one Fargo police officer and wounded two other officers and a bystander before a fourth officer killed him in an exchange of gunfire.
Investigators have said they believe Barakat was planning a larger attack. North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said Friday that there was no evidence of political, racial or religious motivation in the attack. The next morning, the year-old gunman is seen accessing trail cameras via his computer and deleting files, holding guns, donning a tactical vest and loading a suitcase before leaving home with the suitcase, a rifle case and a bag.
He secured his door with a strap or cable and returned at least twice that day to check it. Wrigley said he thinks Barakat intended to return to his apartment after the attack, citing his many weapons, ammunition and explosives. Barakat had cameras in his apartment and garage.
Barakat spent about 20 minutes at a nearby gun range that day, then bought gasoline and cigarettes at a nearby convenience store and a beverage at a dollar store, the documents show. After that, he drove around Fargo, returning several times to his garage and at least twice to his apartment. He loaded gas cans into his car, drove off again, and then returned to his apartment building, where he argued with a manager at the front door. After Barakat left his garage for the last time, he drove near the site of a fender bender on a busy street.
Wrigley said he watched, waited for and targeted the responding officers. A driver who had rear-ended another vehicle was also wounded. Barakat waited until the officers moved closer to him before he opened fire from his vehicle with no apparent warning. He used a. Robinson called for backup and then ran toward danger as Barakat moved between parked cars. Robinson fired five more shots. After nearly two minutes, 21 of the 31 shots Robinson fired had struck the gunman.
