Editor's note: If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
FARGO — After an hourslong standoff between police and a suicidal man barricaded in his residence on the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 1, police arrested Patrick Branden Remme Opdahl, 23, of Fargo.
Opdahl has been charged with reckless endangerment and terrorizing, both Class C felonies. He remained in custody at the Cass County Jail on Thursday. His arraignment was scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday.
Fargo police were first called to the 3800 block of 21st Street South just after 6 p.m. Wednesday on reports of a man who fired a bullet into the ceiling and pointed a gun at his father, Kevin Opdahl, according to court documents.
When officers arrived on scene, they were able to interview both of Opdahl's parents, Sheila and Kevin Opdahl, who evacuated the home after shots were fired, according to court records.
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Kevin Opdahl asked Patrick Opdahl to give him the gun prior to leaving the residence, court documents state, however, Patrick Opdahl pointed the firearm at his own head and then at his father.
Kevin Opdahl told responding officers that he didn't think Patrick Opdahl was going to shoot him.
Both Sheila and Kevin Opdahl told police nothing like this happened before, they did not know where the firearm came from and that their son misused air dust canisters within the home to obtain an altered state of mind.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for the neighborhood , on the 3800 blocks of 22nd Street South and 21st Street South. Residents were advised to stay inside their homes, keep away from windows and move into basements if possible.
At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, a Fargo police officer attempted to talk with Patrick Opdahl over the phone, but that call "did not go well," according to court records.
The negotiators with Red River Valley SWAT Team were brought in to help with negotiations and tactical strategies, according to the Fargo Police Department.
The shelter-in-place was lifted following Patrick Opdahl's arrest six after the initial call, just after midnight. The arrest occurred "without incident," according to court records.
Officers transported Patrick Opdahl to a local hospital for evaluation and, after he was cleared by medical professionals, took him to the Cass County Jail.
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"The FPD expresses its sincere appreciation to the Red River Valley SWAT Team and their members who are specifically trained in crisis negotiation," Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski said. "The collaborated efforts played a crucial role in safely apprehending the suspect and bringing this dangerous individual into custody."
No injuries were reported after the incident, police said.
Patrick Opdahl had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on charges of fleeing a peace officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, preventing arrest, refusing to halt and reckless endangerment, according to Fargo police.
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