Fargo man arrested after pointing gun in officers face

September 10, 2020

FARGO- – A Fargo man is in jail on a number of charges after a traffic stop in Fargo early Wednesday morning that could’ve ended much differently.

Police say an officer stopped a car on Oak Manor Ave. shortly after 1 a.m.

There was a driving under suspension warrant for 38-year-old Shawn Larkin. Larkin told officers that he wanted to stop at his apartment before going to jail and he started to walk away.

Police say Larkin resisted, pulled a loaded handgun and pointed it in the officer’s face as they were attempting to handcuff him. The officer grabbed the gun and ripped it from Larkin’s hand.

Police say Larkin had two full magazines for the handgun and had a fixed-blade knife around his neck.

 

The full news release issued by the Fargo P.D. on this incident can be read below:

 At 1:09 a.m. this (Wednesday) morning, an officer on patrol in the area of 13 Avenue and South University Drive saw a vehicle driven by a person who was suspended and had a warrant for their arrest out of West Fargo. The officer stopped the car in the 1400 block of Oak Manor Avenue South. The open warrant was confirmed and officers told the driver, identified as Shawn Ray Larkin, 38 years old of Fargo, he was under arrest for the warrant.

Larkin wanted to stop at his apartment first before going to jail. He started walking away from officers. At this time officers told him no and attempted to stop him.

Larkin resisted arrest and a physical altercation ensued. The struggle caused officers to take Larkin to the ground in an effort to gain control over him. Officers had Larkin’s left arm, but his right arm was underneath him. Officers ordered Larkin to give up his right arm. Larkin brought his right arm out from underneath him, holding a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and pointed the handgun directly into one of the officer’s face with his finger on the trigger. The officer immediately grabbed the handgun and ripped it out of Larkin’s hand. Larkin was also in possession of two loaded magazines for the handgun. Larkin also had a fixed blade knife around his neck. No firearms were discharged and there were no injuries.

Larkin was arrested for Terrorizing, Preventing Arrest (x2), Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Felony in Possessing of a Firearm, Possession of Methamphetamine, and an open warrant.

This (Wednesday) morning’s traffic stop is an example of how something as simple as a traffic stop for an investigation of a driver driving under suspension and a local warrant can quickly escalate into a deadly situation. We are proud of our officers who relied on their training, instincts and each other for everyone to come out of this incident safely.