FARGO, N.D. — A Fargo police officer who was critically injured in a 2023 ambush shooting has returned to duty after months of recovery, KMSP reported.
Officer Tyler Hawes underwent 19 surgeries over 18 months following the July 2023 attack that killed Officer Jake Wallin and wounded Officer Andrew Dotas, according to the report. Hawes initially rejoined the force on a part-time basis but has now resumed full duty.
In a social media post, the Fargo Police Department shared a video of Hawes leaving Sanford Hospital to applause from supporters.
“From the moment he could speak in the hospital, he made one thing clear — he was coming back to serve Fargo,” the post said.
The shooting occurred on July 14, 2023, when officers responded to what appeared to a crash, according to the report. The gunman had been circling the crash scene for 15 minutes before parking his vehicle and opening fire.
Gunman Mohamad Barakat killed Wallin, 23, and critically wounded Hawes and Dotas, as well as a civilian involved in the crash, Karlee Koswick. Officer Zach Robinson, who was the only officer left standing, returned fire, fatally shooting Barakat after a nearly 2-minute confrontation.
Investigators later revealed that the man had stockpiled weapons, explosives and grenades, and had searched online for terms related to mass shootings, according to the report. His internet history indicated he was researching large public events in Fargo, including the downtown street fair that weekend.
Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski called the attack “a heinous and unthinkable act of aggression against our officers and the entire metro community.”
Wallin, had been with the department for only a few months before he was killed, according to the report. He and Hawes were sworn in as officers on April 19, 2023.
