FARGO — "I thought they were kidding; this can't be true," said Brandon McGinnis.
That was his reaction when he got the call from friends shortly after the shooting that his dad allegedly shot three men behind the Bismarck Tavern.
"I don't think he did anything wrong," he went on to say, believing that his dad was acting in self-defense.
"They say let the police come, but the police don't come until after the crime is done," said McGinnis.
Brandon Grant's son was not with his dad at the Bismarck that night. However, he has spoken with Grant's girlfriend and other friends who were there. McGinnis says it all started when three men approached his dad about allegations he may have touched a teenage girl inappropriately in the past.
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"They confronted him with FaceTime to just verify it was him, and once they had their verification that's when they started assaulting him," said McGinnis.
Video from inside the bar shows the chaos that ensued. You see one man holding a chair in the air while Grant is on the floor. This video shows that man being escorted out the back door. You then see Grant get up and it appears he too is escorted away.
That's when it is alleged Grant shot three people behind the bar. Police have not said if it is the same three people who allegedly jumped him.
"He should have stayed at the scene, but again his adrenaline might have been pumping beyond control. Maybe he thought multiple people were out there and just get out of the area," said McGinnis.
He has not heard from his dad, who also has strong ties to Sargent County and Chicago.
"I think he should turn himself in, to be honest, even though I believe it is self-defense. He believes it is self-defense; it just doesn't look good," said McGinnis.
Police said all three people who were shot are expected to live. Anyone who knows where Brandon Grant is asked to call the police.
