WATFORD CITY, N.D. – A man wanted by the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office for his involvement in a weekend shooting said he’s not armed or dangerous and he plans to turn himself in Tuesday.
Authorities notified the public Monday about an arrest warrant issued for Kyle Richard Fuchs, 33, who investigators believe fired a gun during a fight early Saturday that sent a man to the hospital with a gunshot wound.
The McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office said Fuchs is possibly armed and should be considered extremely dangerous.
Fuchs told Forum News Service late Monday he didn’t know he shot someone or that police were looking for him until he saw the news coverage.
Fuchs said he gave a woman a ride to a home south of Watford City early Saturday and encountered a woman who was being assaulted.
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Fuchs said he got his rifle and tried to intervene, firing a shot toward the ground as a “show of force.”
“I didn’t mean for anybody to get hurt in this,” Fuchs said. “I was just trying to diffuse the situation, and it totally went the opposite.”
After firing the gun, Fuchs said he was beaten by two men and was briefly unconscious before he left the scene.
The sheriff’s office learned of the incident shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday when responding to a report of a gunshot wound at the McKenzie County hospital.
Fuchs said he contacted a McKenzie County detective on Monday and he plans to turn himself in and give a full statement on Tuesday.
“I’ve got to tell the authorities my side,” Fuchs said.
During the investigation, deputies also arrested Robert Gabler on suspicion of simple assault domestic violence and Jessica Allen on suspicion of hindering law enforcement.
The public is encouraged to call the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at (701) 444-3654 with information.
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Court records show Fuchs has no felony convictions in North Dakota. He has misdemeanor convictions including menacing, fleeing a police officer and discharging a firearm in city limits.
