Austin Strom shot and killed in church parking lot
by Trinity Gruenberg
The Browerville community mourns the tragic loss of one of their own, Austin Strom.
The Fargo Police Department reported at approximately 7:48 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, the West Fargo Police Department responded to a report of an assault and shots fired in the parking lot of Prairie Heights Church. Upon arrival, officers were informed that an altercation had occurred between three individuals unknown to each other.
During the investigation, officers identified Austin Strom, 25, from Browerville, as a person attempting to unlawfully enter Prairie Heights Church.
Kent Hodges, 66, from West Fargo, North Dakota, confronted Strom as he continued to attempt to enter the building. At this point, Strom became extremely agitated and physically attacked Hodges, who is a member of Prairie Heights Church.
Donald Baron II, 53, from Moorhead, Minnesota, observed the ongoing aggravated assault and attempted to intervene. Strom began to advance at Baron, who then fired a single gunshot with his personal handgun.
Strom was transported to a local hospital, where he was declared deceased.
Hodges, who initially confronted Strom, was transported to a local hospital with severe but non-life-threatening injuries.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and no further comment is available at this time. There are no pending charges at this time. Upon completion of the investigation, the report will be sent to the Cass County State Attorney’s Office for review....