On a Saturday morning, August 17, 2024, the life of 25-year-old Austin Strom, a White male, was cut short in the parking lot of Prairie Heights Church in West Fargo, North Dakota. Strom, who considered the church his home and would sometimes sleep in the parking lot, was tragically killed in an altercation.
The incident began early that morning when Kent Hodges, a 66-year-old church volunteer, arrived at the church. An altercation ensued between Strom and Hodges.
According to reports, Strom became aggressive and demanded to be let inside the building. The situation escalated, and Strom reportedly began to physically assault Hodges, who sustained serious injuries.
A third individual, Donald Barron, a 53-year-old from Moorhead, witnessed the unfolding assault. Barron intervened, drawing his personal handgun. He reportedly gave verbal commands to Strom to stop and back away. When Strom advanced towards him, Barron fired a single shot, striking Strom in the chest. Emergency services were called, but Austin Strom was pronounced dead at the scene.
The West Fargo Police Department conducted a thorough investigation into the shooting. The findings of their investigation, which included a review of video footage of the incident, were turned over to the Cass County State's Attorney's Office for review. After careful consideration of the evidence, the State's Attorney's Office announced that no criminal charges would be filed against Donald Barron. The official determination was that the use of deadly force was justified as an act of self-defense and in the defense of another. Consequently, no arrests were made in connection with the death of Austin Strom.
