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Shaw: From days to decades after Medina shootout, families and shooters cope with fallout

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Shaw: From days to decades after Medina shootout, families and shooters cope with fallout


MEDINA, N.D. — On the night time of Feb. 13, 1983, a stunning information story from outdoors Medina made its approach throughout the nation. Two legislation enforcement officers had been shot to demise and three extra officers had been wounded, together with one of many assailants.

Shot lifeless had been 53-year-old North Dakota U.S. Marshal Ken Muir and 32-year-old Deputy Marshal Robert Cheshire. The wounded officers had been 59-year-old Deputy Marshal James Hopson, 26-year-old Stutsman County Deputy Sheriff Brad Kapp and 22-year-old Medina Police Officer Steve Schnabel.

The wounded assailant was 23-year-old Yorie Kahl.

Hopson had a extreme mind harm. He was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Bismarck the place he had surgical procedure after which was in intensive care.

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“His first remark to me was, ‘What are you doing right here?’” mentioned Mike Hopson, James Hopson’s son. “I instructed him he was within the hospital. He didn’t know he was shot or what occurred.”

“We had been instructed there was an amazing probability he wasn’t going to outlive,” mentioned Cheryl Hopson, James Hopson’s daughter.

James Hopson did survive, however along with his devastating disabilities, life turned extraordinarily tough.

Kapp, Schnabel and Yorie Kahl had been taken to a hospital in Jamestown.

Kapp was shot within the hand, chin, above his left eye and within the chest. He had surgical procedure for his wounds and survived.

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Schnabel was shot within the thigh. He was handled and launched that day.

Yorie Kahl was shot within the stomach and chest. He underwent surgical procedure and survived.

Gordon Kahl.

Discussion board file picture

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That night, federal authorities began a manhunt for anybody related to the shootings. David Broer, 43, and Vernon Wegner, 25, turned themselves in that night time. Scott Faul, 29, and Joan Kahl, 56, surrendered the subsequent day. Yorie Kahl was arrested and charged whereas within the hospital. He was beneath 24-hour guard whereas hospitalized.

Nevertheless, the ringleader and father of Yorie Kahl, 63-year-old Gordon Kahl, was on the run.

Two days after the capturing, greater than 100 legislation enforcement officers from the Marshals Service, FBI, and state and native companies surrounded the Kahls’ farmhouse in Heaton, North Dakota. They fired large quantities of tear gasoline into the home.

They discovered giant quantities of weapons and ammunition, together with studying materials selling white supremacy, however Gordon Kahl was not there.

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The door is missing and windows are shattered on a small house in a black-and-white photo.

Police fired tear gasoline canisters into the house of Gordon and Joan Kahl in Heaton, North Dakota, on Feb. 15, 1983, whereas they looked for Gordon Kahl. He was wished for his half within the killing of two U.S. Marshals.

Discussion board file picture

The following day, legislation enforcement and SWAT groups regarded for Kahl all through Ashley, about 110 miles southeast of Bismarck. Kahl was nonetheless nowhere to be discovered.

Following that, a command heart was arrange in Jamestown to coordinate the search. The Marshals Service additionally provided a $25,000 reward for info resulting in Kahl’s arrest. There have been no takers.

In the meantime, Gordon Kahl’s spouse, Joan Kahl, made a tearful plea in entrance of tv information cameras for her husband to provide himself up.

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“Please, Gordon. Please. They gained’t harm you,” Joan Kahl mentioned. “I’ve been handled actual properly right here. Our son is in important situation. Two males are lifeless. Others are going to be harm. I don’t need you lifeless, too. Please. I can’t take any extra.”

A black-and-white newsprint photo of a woman with short, curled hair and tears falling from her eyes.

Joan Kahl, spouse of Gordon Kahl, upon her launch on bond on March 1, 1983.

Discussion board file picture

Three weeks after the shootout, all 4 members of the Medina Police Division had been fired by the town council. Two of them, Police Chief Darrell Graf and Schnabel, had been concerned with the shootout.

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“The mayor fired us with out asking what occurred,” Graf mentioned.

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Darrell Graf.

Contributed / Darrell Graf

He tried to maneuver on, however that wasn’t potential. He ultimately skilled firefighters as a volunteer.

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“The shootout destroyed my life,” Graf mentioned. “I couldn’t apply for a job wherever. In the event that they noticed I used to be the Medina Police Chief, I wasn’t going to get employed. My well being is shot. My post-traumatic stress is extreme. I’ve had counseling for 39 years.”

On the authorized entrance, issues had been transferring shortly. Yorie Kahl and Scott Faul had been charged with two counts of homicide, 5 counts of assault and one depend of harboring a fugitive.

Broer was charged with assault, conspiracy and harboring a fugitive.

Joan Kahl was charged with conspiracy and harboring a fugitive.

Wegner pleaded responsible to interfering with legislation enforcement and promised to testify for the federal government. He was positioned on probation for 2 years.

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A man in a suit holding a large gun with both hands scowls.

An unnamed officer stands guard outdoors the federal courthouse in Fargo in the course of the trial of Yorie Kahl, Joan Kahl, Scott Faul and David Broer in Might 1983.

Discussion board file picture

On Might 12, 1983, simply three months after the shootout, the trial began in Fargo federal court docket. Gordon Kahl was nonetheless in hiding, and his whereabouts had been unknown to legislation enforcement.

“I felt an additional accountability to do my greatest to be sure that those that shot the officers bought what was coming to them,” chief prosecutor Lynn Crooks mentioned a couple of months in the past. “When these guys died within the line of obligation, I misplaced good mates. This case was very private to me. It actually harm to lose these guys. It nonetheless hurts.”

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The prosecution known as the defendants “keen individuals.” The protection argued that the defendants acted in self-defense.

The trial lasted three weeks. The jury deliberated for 14 hours.

Yorie Kahl and Scott Faul had been discovered responsible of second-degree homicide and 6 different expenses. They had been discovered not responsible of first-degree homicide.

Broer was convicted of conspiracy and harboring a fugitive and acquitted of the assault expenses.

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Two men in the foreground with hands cuffed in front of them and a chain connecting them. Another is in the background.

Yorie Kahl, left, David Broer, heart, and Scott Faul are led from the federal courthouse in Fargo after being sentenced for his or her participation within the Medina shootout.

Discussion board file picture

Joan Kahl was discovered not responsible of harboring a fugitive and conspiracy. The prosecution didn’t current proof straight towards her.

Yorie Kahl, Faul and Broer had no seen response when the verdicts had been learn. Their shocked family members began loudly weeping.

“Justice was accomplished,” Crooks mentioned. “The message was: It’s a must to pay your taxes. You’ll be able to’t homicide U.S. Marshals since you don’t need to pay your taxes.”

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“I’m extraordinarily upset. Very pissed off,” Faul’s legal professional Erv Nodland mentioned proper after the decision. “It’s a horrible tragedy for lots of people.”

“I’m delighted that Joan was acquitted. It was the suitable factor to do,” Joan Kahl’s legal professional Bob Ramlo mentioned proper after the decision. “She simply didn’t do something. It was a miscarriage of justice to make her undergo this ordeal.”

Yorie Kahl and Faul had been sentenced to life in jail. Broer was sentenced to 10 years in jail.

Fingerprints and mugshots on a black-and-white poster that says "Wanted by FBI: Gordon Wendell Kahl."

An FBI wished poster from 1983 describes Gordon Kahl as “armed and harmful” and notes he expressed he wouldn’t be taken alive.

Particular to The Discussion board

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Performing on a tip, on June 3, 1983, simply six days after the trial ended, three legislation enforcement officers entered a farmhouse in Smithville, Arkansas, owned by Leonard and Norma Ginter. Gordon Kahl was in the home, hiding behind a fridge.

Kahl and Lawrence County Sheriff Gene Matthews fired nearly concurrently at one another.

Kahl was shot within the head and instantly died.

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A blue trailer house is riddled with bullet holes.

The home in Smithville, Arkansas, the place Gordon Kahl was discovered June 3, 1983. The home was shot hundreds of instances by legislation enforcement, setting off explosions and beginning a hearth.

WDAY file picture

Matthews was shot within the coronary heart, crawled out of the home, and died minutes later.

A SWAT staff outdoors the home, not figuring out Kahl was lifeless, fired hundreds of rounds on the home, setting off explosions and a hearth.

The Ginters, together with Artwork Russell and Ed Udey, had been convicted of harboring a fugitive.

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Pallbearers carry a gray casket with an American flag draped over it.

Pallbearers carry Gordon Kahl’s casket after his funeral in Bowdon, North Dakota, in 1983.

WDAY file picture

About 250 folks attended Kahl’s funeral at a church in Bowdon, North Dakota. Kahl was characterised as a controversial and weird man who cherished his nation.

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A man in a suit with a yellow legal pad and a man in a black prison jumpsuit sit facing each other.

Jim Shaw interviews Yorie Kahl in 1993 at america Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

WDAY file picture

In 1993, I performed an unique interview for WDAY-TV with Yorie Kahl at america Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He maintained his innocence and claimed he did nothing improper.

“We had been assaulted with lethal pressure, and we had been defending ourselves,” Yorie Kahl mentioned. “We weren’t criminals. It was a mandatory factor to do.”

Because the years have passed by, a number of officers have regarded again on the determination to attempt to arrest Gordon Kahl that day with remorse.

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“This incident shouldn’t have occurred this fashion,” Graf mentioned. “Sure, Gordon ought to have paid his taxes. Nevertheless, there was no plan right here. There was no technique. They might have waited a number of months and put collectively a plan.”

“It didn’t make sense to me why they went after him the best way they did,” Schnabel mentioned. “They might have walked as much as him in so many locations like eating places, the place he didn’t have a rifle, and arrest him proper there.”

“We had been outgunned,” mentioned Deputy Marshal Carl Wigglesworth in 1993. “We didn’t know what we had been entering into.”

“It was an unlucky incident that didn’t have to occur,” Kapp mentioned. “Gordon Kahl ought to have given up and brought care of it within the courts. That’s the best way you do issues.”

Yorie Kahl, 63, and Faul, 69, have unsuccessfully been making an attempt for years to be launched on parole. Kahl is in a federal jail in Pekin, Illinois. Faul is in a federal jail in Sandstone, Minnesota.

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In 1993, Yorie Kahl mentioned, “I don’t suppose I ought to have ever been right here (in jail). I by no means was responsible of any of this stuff.”

“I’ve seen no signal of any regret in any respect from this man,“ Wigglesworth mentioned after listening to Yorie Kahl’s feedback. “I see them as cold-blooded killers. There’s nothing in my coronary heart that would justify releasing that man into the general public. Ever.”

“I don’t really feel that he has discovered any classes in any respect,” Roxanne Ludwig, daughter of slain U.S. Marshal Muir, mentioned after listening to Yorie Kahl’s feedback. “What they did was improper. They had been armed with weapons. They had been approached by federal officers who had been out to do a job. They need to have been those to put their weapons down.”

A woman in a khaki dress and man in a patterned sweater angrily watch from directors' chairs.

Roxanne Ludwig, left, and Carl Wigglesworth watching Jim Shaw interview with Yorie Kahl in 1993 on the WDAY-TV studio. Ludwig was the daughter of murdered U.S. Marshal Ken Muir. Wigglesworth was a deputy U.S. Marshal who participated within the Medina Shootout.

WDAY file

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At Yorie Kahl’s parole listening to final July, performing North Dakota U.S. Legal professional Jennifer Puhl argued towards his launch.

“Placing him on parole was not workable, as a result of he won’t ever undergo the authority of a federal choose and a federal probation officer,” Puhl mentioned.

In a weblog publish submitted 5 months in the past to “Belief Christ or go to Hell” on behalf of Yorie Kahl, he wrote, “They murdered my father and they’re slowly murdering Scott and me. We gained’t be the primary harmless males who’ve died in jail. We gained’t be the final.”

In latest months, family members of the victims have strongly opposed releasing Kahl and Faul.

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“Yorie Kahl has NO regret for what he has accomplished,” Laurie Muir-Riley, daughter of Ken Muir, wrote to the Parole Board. “Mr. Kahl will proceed to be a risk to society. … He’ll proceed to be excessive and harmful and I need him nowhere close to me or my household. …

“I plead to you to not let this man stay his life outdoors of jail partitions. He has devastated so many households. He may simply kill once more, as he’ll solely proceed his methods and he’ll consider he’s above the legal guidelines of this nation.”

“What they did that day was a acutely aware determination,” mentioned Joan Kowalski, daughter of severely wounded U.S. Marshal Hopson. “They knew what they had been doing. They need to pay the results. They made their determination. They need to not get out.”

A number of months in the past, I wrote letters to Yorie Kahl and Scott Faul, asking them what occurred in Medina, whether or not they have any regrets as to what occurred that day and why they really feel they need to be launched from jail.

Kahl didn’t write again, however Faul did.

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Faul wrote, “Having lined that charade in 1983, you shock me. … I by no means had a trial. … You all on the Discussion board helped to wrongfully convict my mates and I. You need to be ashamed of your self. …

“To get a narrative from me you’ll have to show to me that you just now know what sort of sick (expletive) they (the federal government) are. … Usually, you’ll have to publicly apologize, stating that you just now know that the convictions had been improper, you’re sorry on your half in that. … You need to publicly state it. Then we’ll discuss.”

There shall be no public apology coming from me.

Subsequent Saturday on this three-part sequence: The victims and their households.





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North Dakota

WATCH: 'The Masked Man' for North Dakota State Basketball

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WATCH: 'The Masked Man' for North Dakota State Basketball


It has been a year of adjusting for North Dakota State Junior Guard Brennan Watkins, who has found a new home in Fargo after two seasons at VMI.

“It’s different in the stand point that I get to just focus on basketball more. At VMI there was military, a lot of academics and then basketball was kind of an after thought. Obviously there is time for academics but I have more time to be in the gym and get more shots up,” said Watkins looking back at his time out east.

As the Missouri native navigates his first season with the green and gold, Watkins also has to adjust to some new headgear after a gruesome injury in the game against Weber State earlier this season.

“I didn’t even know where I got hit. I just knew there was pain radiating around my face. My reaction was to just put my hands to my face. I kind of took my hands away and my hands were just completely filled with blood and I was like oh no that’s not good” he said.

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Watkins suffered a compound fracture breaking his nose in two places.

“When I was at the game the team doctor readjusted it partially there and they said it was too swollen to completely adjust it. I think once I go back to the doctor they are going to adjust it a second time too. There is not pain but it is difficult to breathe. I’m not really getting as much airflow through my nose as I am used to” said Watkins describing his challenges with the broken nose.

Despite the injury, Watkins hasn’t missed a game or a beat becoming the “Masked Man” for the Bison.

“It’s completely different. I can’t really see out of my peripherals. Once I start to sweat the clear mask starts to fog up so that creates another problem. It’s truly difficult. I don’t think people understand how much of a difference it makes,” he said.

“Brennan has always been a really talented basketball player. Gifted offensive player and we have challenged him on the little things, the winning plays and he is starting to understand those and execute those things and that’s the next step for him,” said NDSU Head Coach, Dave Richman.

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A warrior, Watkins is determined to stay on the floor and make those winning plays for North Dakota State.

“Just do anything for my team and help them win that is just kind of the player I am. It doesn’t matter if I have a broken nose. If I am able to play I’m going to be out there,” said Watkins.

The Bison Men’s Basketball Team has one more non-conference match up against CSU-Bakersfield on Monday night before conference play begins on January, 2nd.

Sam Goetzinger joined WDAY News as a reporter and anchor in 2022 after graduating from St. Cloud State University. Sam worked alongside his Dad in the radio industry for 10 years in his hometown of New Prague, Minnesota before heading off to college. Along with his news responsibilities, Sam also handles play-by-play duties for North Dakota and Minnesota high school athletics.
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Reach Sam at sgoetzinger@wday.com or follow him on X.





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North Dakota

North Dakota homeowners can save $500 with tax credit

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North Dakota homeowners can save 0 with tax credit


FARGO — For the second year, most North Dakota homeowners have the chance to save $500 on their taxes.

The primary residence tax credit returns after being passed in 2023 legislation.

Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus says last season, more than 90% of people who were eligible to apply sent in their application and saved a combined total of nearly $70 million dollars.

The North Dakota Tax Commission is hoping for an even higher application rate this season.

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The commission has been working with lawmakers to add individuals with homes in a trust. Because of language in the bill, they didn’t qualify in 2023.

Kroshus said those residents now will be eligible for credit from last year, as well.

“So far, we’ve received over 35,000 applications already in just a couple of weeks. And to put that into perspective, last year, we received 135,000 applications in total, but we’re already at the 35,000 mark, and last year, we didn’t open until Jan. 1. This year, we decided to pull the trigger just a little bit earlier,” he said.

For questions about eligibility or the application process, you can call the commission toll-free at (877) 649-0112.

You can apply for the tax credit

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on their website

.

Ryan McNamara joined WDAY as a reporter in late 2024. He is a native of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2024.

His time as a Husky included copious amounts of time spent at “The Herb” reporting on Husky hockey, or at Halenbeck Hall calling Husky basketball. He also spent two summers with the Northwoods League’s St. Cloud Rox. Along with his duties in news and sports, Ryan dons a headset for occasional play-by-play broadcasts for North Dakota and Minnesota high school sports.

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When he’s away from the station, he’s most likely lifting, finding time to golf, or taking in as much college basketball as possible, in order to complete the elusive perfect March Madness bracket.





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October wildfires impact ND oil production

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October wildfires impact ND oil production


MDN File Photo
North Dakota’s oil production had a recent decline largely due to the wildfires in October.

BISMARCK – Wildfires in October attributed to a decline in oil and gas production in the state that month, according to the director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources.

Nathan Anderson said the state produced 1.178 million barrels of oil a day in October. In September, the state produced 1.199 million barrels of oil a day.

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He said the oil production numbers are down about 522,000 barrels for the month.

“This is largely due to the wildfires that occurred starting later in the first week of October and those shut-ins that remain on and off for the remainder of the month,” Anderson said. He said oil production is down 1.8% but it’s still up to the revenue forecast of 7%.

Anderson released the October production numbers this past week. The numbers are normally two months behind.

North Dakota produced 3.4 million cubic feet (MCF) a day of natural gas in October, a decrease of 4.1%. The gas capture was 94%. In September, the gas capture was 95%.

Anderson said the natural gas production was down also due to the wildfires in the state in October.

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He said 97% of the state’s oil production is from the Bakken and the Three Forks formations, and 3% from the legacy pools.

On Wednesday, the price of North Dakota Light Sweet crude oil was $62.65 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate was $70.94 a barrel, according to the report. The all-time high was in June 2008 when N.D. Light Sweet was $125.62 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate was $134.02 a barrel.

In September, 100 wells were permitted and in October, 111 wells were permitted, according to Anderson. The all-time high was 370 wells permitted in October 2012.

He said the trend over the past several years has been less 2-mile lateral wells being permitted and more 3-mile lateral permits coming in. He said most recently, there’s been probably half a dozen 4-mile lateral permits, He said the trend for longer laterals continues in the state.

The rig count in North Dakota for the month of October was 39, Anderson said. In November, there were 37 rigs. On Wednesday, he said 37 rigs were actively working in the state and two were on federal surface.

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Anderson said North Dakota is fourth in the nation in rig counts. Citing Baker Hughes information, he said 589 rigs are working in the United States. In addition to the 37 in North Dakota, 284 are in Texas, 104 in New Mexico and 43 in Oklahoma.

From a basin standpoint, he said, the Permian is at 304 rigs, Eagle Ford/South Texas at 46 rigs, Williston Basin including North Dakota and Montana around 40 and the Marcelus/Utica (dry gas) at 35.

In October, he said 331 wells were waiting on completion,1,796 are inactive and remains relatively consistent month over month, and 95 were completed. In November, 98 wells (preliminary number) were completed.

He said the number of producing wells set another all-time high of 19,334 in October.

Anderson said 73 abandoned wells have been plugged and 82 sites reclaimed during 2023 through October 2024 as part of a $25 million grant. “We expect this to be closer to the 110 mark once all the grant money is all wrapped up,” he said.

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On the Fort Berthold Reservation, Anderson said, oil production is at 177,000 barrels of oil per day. He said one rig is running and the reservation has 2,950 active wells. He said two wells are waiting on completion.

“Production continues to drop slightly month over month. I would likely contribute this to just less activity and a rig count that doesn’t quite add the same production as the decline,” he said, referring to Fort Berthold Reservation.

He said the drilling rig count in the state remains steady even with the mergers and acquisitions across the United States. He said this is expected to increase gradually to the mid-40s sometime over the next couple years.

He said 14 frac crews are actively operating in the state and operators continue to maintain a permit inventory of approximately 12 months.



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