WEST FARGO, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – A dramatic church shooting outside Prairie Heights Church in West Fargo has left one man dead. But was it self-defense? A prosecutor’s review of three videos from the scene has cleared a local teacher of any wrongdoing.
Don Barron Jr., 53, a driver’s education teacher at West Fargo Public Schools, shot and killed Austin Strom, 25, outside Prairie Heights Church on August 17th. The shooting occurred after Strom assaulted fellow church member Kent Hodges, who suffers from dementia.
Prosecutors say that three videos taken by witnesses show Strom kicking Hodges in the head multiple times before turning his attention to Barron. Despite having no weapon, Barron shot and killed Strom once in the chest.
The prosecutor’s review of the case concluded that Barron acted in self-defense, citing the videos as evidence. The autopsy also found THC in Strom’s system, but prosecutors believe mental health issues were the driving factor behind his actions.
West Fargo Public Schools did not take disciplinary action against Barron during the investigation.