In the early morning hours of September 12, 2021, the life of 28-year-old Megan Lea Gustafson, a White female from Grand Forks, North Dakota, was tragically cut short. Police officers were initially dispatched to a residence in the 1300 block of 8th Avenue North around 1:32 a.m. following a report of a suspicious person. While at the scene for this separate investigation, officers encountered Gustafson and observed what appeared to be an argument between her and a man inside the home.
As
the officers were outside, they heard a single gunshot ring out from within the residence. Immediately following the shot, Gustafson emerged from the home, screamed, and collapsed on the lawn. It was determined she had sustained a gunshot wound to the chin and neck area. Paramedics were called to the scene and transported her to Altru Hospital, where she was ultimately pronounced deceased.
The man who had been inside the residence with Gustafson, identified as 26-year-old Ahmed Mohamed Abdullahi of Grand Forks, exited the home on his own and was taken into custody by the officers present. A 9mm Taurus handgun was recovered at the scene. Investigators believe that Gustafson and Abdullahi were known to each other, though the precise nature of their relationship was part of the ongoing investigation.
Following the incident, Ahmed Mohamed Abdullahi was arrested and initially charged with manslaughter. The charges were later upgraded to murder, a class AA felony in North Dakota. He also faced felony charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, as he was prohibited from owning one due to a prior terrorizing conviction, and theft of property for the stolen gun.
