‘Shots Fired!’ Emergency In Minnesota Caused By Faulty HVAC System

A scary situation developed yesterday in Moorhead. An officer was doing a follow-up call in the 1800 block of 20th Street South in Moorhead. The officer approached the building and heard a gunshot. He immediately took cover and called for backup.

The Moorhead Police Department sent a large police presence to the area, and a shelter-in-place notification was issued for nearby residents. Nearby schools went into lockdown out of an abundance of caution.

Police used drones, a BearCat vehicle, and other tools to assess the situation and identify where the gunshot came from. They also reviewed video surveillance in the investigation. It was ultimately determined that the sound was from an HVAC system nearby that was malfunctioning. The loud bang was consistent with the sound the officer thought was a gunshot.

The Moorhead Police Department said that the officer followed department protocol for calling for back-up.

“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.”

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The Moorhead Police Department thanked participating agencies that responded, including the Red River Valley SWAT, Moorhead Fire Department, Clay County Sheriff's Office, and the Minnesota State Patrol.