Devils Lake ( trfnews.i234.me ) – A former Devils Lake police officer has made his first court appearance on a felony reckless endangerment charge following a standoff last month that placed multiple lives at risk.
According to prosecutors, 37-year-old Rey Hennen faces one count of reckless endangerment, but additional charges are possible. Hennen, who previously faced a terrorizing charge, appeared remotely for his initial hearing on Wednesday, October 1. Prosecutors told the court they will seek a tough sentence if he is convicted.
The case stems from a six-hour standoff inside Hennen’s Devils Lake home. Authorities said Hennen fired a gun toward his own head, with a projectile grazing his ear and passing through a garage door toward officers outside. Several neighbors were evacuated, and police reported that four children, including a baby, were inside the home during the incident. At one point, investigators said Hennen was holding both a gun and his baby while officers attempted negotiations.
The standoff began after a 911 hang-up call that led police to investigate a possible sexual assault. Special prosecutor Kathleen Murray indicated additional charges connected to that investigation remain under review. She stressed that the case escalated from threats to the use of a dangerous weapon, raising safety concerns for officers and family members present.
The judge set Hennen’s bond at $75,000, citing risks to public safety and concerns he may not appear at future hearings. If released, he will be required to live with relatives in Minnesota, wear a GPS monitoring device, and comply with a two-year no-contact order involving family members in his household.
Hennen’s attorney, Ulysses Samuel, argued that the allegations remain unproven at this stage. Still, prosecutors noted the reckless endangerment charge alone carries a mandatory minimum of four years in prison and up to 20 years if convicted. They signaled their intent to seek a sentence above the minimum.
Hennen was fired from the Devils Lake Police Department shortly after his arrest. He is expected to return to court later this month. The investigation is ongoing.
For more information on North Dakota felony statutes, visit the North Dakota Court System.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Former Devils Lake police officer Rey Hennen