Fargo Man Charged After Rifle Seen at Street Fair

FARGO, N.D. (trfnews.i234.me) — Owen James Stish, 27, faces a federal firearm charge after an incident at the Fargo Street Fair.

Police say Stish openly carried an AR-style rifle in downtown Fargo during the July event.

Federal records allege Stish was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of an earlier court order.

Rifle Reported Before Street Fair Encounter

According to a federal affidavit, the investigation began July 16.

A caller reported seeing an uncased AR-style rifle inside a gray Subaru Legacy.

The vehicle was reportedly traveling toward Bill’s Gun Shop in Fargo.

Police contacted employees at the store. Employees reported no problems involving Stish, according to the affidavit.

Later that day, officers saw Stish at the Fargo Street Fair on Broadway North.

Police said an uncased AR-style rifle was slung across his chest.

Stish told an officer he was active-duty Army and was from California, the affidavit states.

The rifle’s bolt was locked back, and no magazine was inserted, according to investigators.

An officer asked Stish to put the rifle away. He complied with that request.

Police also reported seeing a magazine in his pocket.

Owen James Stish

An officer encountered Stish again near the Street Fair on July 17.

Stish did not have the rifle with him during that encounter.

However, police said he showed officers two loaded 30-round magazines.

The magazines contained 5.56-caliber ammunition, according to the federal affidavit.

Stish reportedly said his rifle was stored inside a U-Haul storage unit in Dilworth.

Investigators reviewed court records from Ward County, North Dakota.

The affidavit says a district court issued an order involving Stish in 2018.

That order prohibited him from possessing or receiving firearms and ammunition under federal law.

A separate 2023 order ended the guardianship arrangement, according to investigators.

However, the affidavit says that order did not restore Stish’s firearm rights.

Stish was charged July 17 with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person.

Federal firearm restrictions are outlined in 18 U.S.C. § 922.

The affidavit listed an August 3 court date before Magistrate Judge Alice R. Senechal.

A criminal charge is an allegation. Stish is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.