DEVILS LAKE, N.D. — An off-duty Devils Lake police officer who shot himself following an hours-long standoff at a home earlier this week is now facing a felony terrorizing charge, KVRR reported.
According to Devils Lake Police Chief Jason Toso, the incident began late Monday night after officers responded to a 911 hang-up call. Upon arrival, they discovered an off-duty officer who had barricaded himself inside the home. The officer reportedly threatened to shoot himself and made threats involving his children, who were inside the residence at the time.
Law enforcement, including Ramsey County deputies, successfully removed the children from the home without injury, according to the report. As a precaution, neighbors were asked to evacuate or shelter in place during the incident.
Negotiations with the officer continued into Tuesday morning. During the standoff, police say the officer shot himself. He was initially transported to a hospital in Devils Lake and later transferred to the North Dakota State Hospital in Jamestown.
The suspect’s employment with the City of Devils Lake has been terminated, Toso said.
The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation.
