By: Kourtney Lockey
MOORHEAD, Minn. (Valley News Live) – The Clay County Attorney’s Office released new evidence, including never-before-seen footage and a 911 audio call, in a deadly August 11 officer-involved shooting.
The final report cleared all three Fargo police officers who are part of the Red River Valley SWAT Team involved in the deaths of Nathan and Lucas Heiberg, stating their actions were justified. The officers will return to active duty.
The incident began with a 911 call from a mother hiding in her apartment complex stairwell, reporting an assault by Nathan and Lucas Heiberg. According to the report, Nathan Heiberg, who had two children with the woman, violated a no-contact order by showing up at her apartment. An argument quickly escalated, with Nathan punching the woman in the face. She managed to escape, but the two children were left inside the apartment with the Heiberg brothers.
Police responded to the scene, where the Heiberg brothers barricaded themselves inside the apartment. Officers used a battering ram to gain entry, at which point Lucas Heiberg fired at the officers. A SWAT team was then called to the scene.
Sgt. Kyle Seehusen observed a male, identified as Lucas Heiberg, “crouched down and behind the sight of his pistol” through a hole in the apartment door. Seehusen fired, striking Lucas Heiberg four times in the head.
Sgt. Kyle Seehusen and his brother, Sgt. Tyler Seehusen, then entered the apartment to rescue the children. Sgt. Tyler Seehusen encountered Nathan Heiberg, who was armed with a revolver, and fired one fatal shot.
“The work that they did, going in and dealing with that threat, to not only attempt to make an arrest, but to get the kids out of dangerous situation, was heroic,” Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski said. “This is not the way that anyone wanted this to end. It is, unfortunately, how it ended. Collectively, we offer our condolences to the Heiberg family.”
Authorities recovered two guns from the scene. Nathan and Lucas Heiberg had a criminal history of domestic assault and were prohibited from owning guns.
Sgt. Michael Anderson, the third officer involved, fired a round into Lucas Heiberg’s chest as he was still moving and holding a gun. The Fargo Police Department is conducting an internal review of the incident and plans to present its findings at a later date.
