WILLISTON, ND (trfnews.i234.me) — After an extensive investigation, Williston Police Officer Jason Barten has been reinstated following a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred on July 23, 2024.
The incident unfolded when officers responded to a 911 call at around 12:47 p.m. near the 1300 Block of 18th Street West. The caller reported a man armed with a knife outside an apartment complex, threatening to harm himself and others. The suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Matthew Austin Gullo, was reportedly jabbing the knife at his chest.
Officer Barten was the first to arrive at the scene and encountered Gullo holding a visible knife. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon and a warning that he would be shot, Gullo continued to advance with the knife in hand and his other hand concealed. Barten fired his weapon, striking Gullo.
Even after the gunfire, Gullo continued to hold onto the knife. A second officer used a less-lethal option to dislodge the weapon, and officers manually removed the knife from Gullo’s grasp. Life-saving efforts were administered on the scene, but Gullo was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Further investigation revealed that Gullo had placed the initial 911 call, describing his own actions as if he were a bystander.
Following standard protocol, Barten was placed on paid leave while the incident underwent investigation. An internal review by the Williston Police Department found that Barten had followed department procedures, and an independent review by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation confirmed compliance with local laws. The Divide County State Attorney concluded that Barten’s use of deadly force was justified, leading to his full reinstatement.
While the Williston Police Department has chosen not to release bodycam or dashcam footage publicly, the footage has been shared with the necessary outside agencies. The case is now closed, with no further details expected to be released.