At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19, a Moorhead Police officer was conducting a follow-up in the 1800 block of 20th Street South. As the officer approached the building, he heard what sounded like a gunshot and immediately called for backup.
Out of an abundance of caution, a large police presence was deployed, and a shelter-in-place notification was issued for the area between 12th Avenue South and 24th Avenue South, from 14th Street to 26th Street. This was a precautionary measure to ensure community safety. Officers also utilized available tools, including a drone and the BearCat vehicle, to thoroughly assess the situation.
As part of the response, officers interviewed individuals in the area and reviewed video surveillance. Through the investigation, it was determined that the sound was caused by a mechanical malfunction involving a nearby HVAC system, which produced a loud noise consistent with what the officer initially believed to be a gunshot. There is no evidence to support that a gunshot was fired.
The officer acted in good faith and followed department protocol by calling for assistance. The response was appropriate given the nature of the report and the department’s commitment to public safety.
“We take all reports of possible gunfire seriously and respond with the resources necessary to protect our community,” said Chief Chris Helmick. “In this case, the officer responded appropriately based on what was heard, and our team worked quickly to investigate and ensure there was no threat to the public. We’re thankful the officer was not in harm’s way, and we will always err on the side of caution when it comes to public safety.”
During the incident, nearby schools made the decision to implement lockdown procedures out of an abundance of caution. These measures were lifted once the area was determined to be safe.
The Moorhead Police Department extends sincere thanks to our partners at Red River Valley SWAT, Moorhead Fire Department, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota State Patrol for their support and coordination during the response.
