On the evening of the Fourth of July in 2024, a shooting incident at a downtown Grand Forks bar resulted in the death of James Jorgenson, a 53-year-old Caucasian male. The tragic event unfolded at Sledster's Food and Brew on South 4th Street, where police were dispatched following reports of a shooting in progress. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Jorgenson on the floor inside the establishment with apparent gunshot wounds.
Despite immediate life-saving measures rendered at the scene, he succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses at the bar observed a male suspect withdraw a handgun and fire multiple rounds at Jorgenson before fleeing the scene on foot. The presence of numerous other patrons inside the bar at the time of the incident created a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to others. The rounds fired also caused damage to the interior of the business. The suspect was later located and detained without incident at Tea and Crepe's on Demers Avenue. A handgun was found on the floor in close proximity to him at the time of his arrest.
The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Nicholas Narveson of Grand Forks. He was arrested and taken to the Grand Forks County Corrections, where he was charged with murder, terrorizing, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief. During the subsequent trial, Narveson claimed self-defense. However, a jury found him guilty of murder, terrorizing, and reckless endangerment. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for August 1st.
