Grand Forks County Hostage Standoff Turns Deadly

Caller Reports Holding Man Hostage

According to a press release, dispatch received several calls on December 5.

Officials say the caller was 47-year-old Alice Nesdahl of Grand Forks.

She told dispatchers she was holding a man hostage inside an apartment.

Deputies from the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office went to help city officers.

The location was an apartment building in Grand Forks.

Deputies and officers found the unit believed to be involved in the incident.

Deputies Stage In Hallway And Use Drone

Authorities say officers took positions in the hallway outside the apartment.

They stayed several doors away from the unit.

The goal was to protect the hostage if he tried to escape.

It also allowed a quick response if things changed suddenly inside.

Investigators say a drone was placed outside a unit’s window.

The drone camera allowed officers to watch movement inside the apartment.

Officials say the woman held an object in her hand during parts of the video.

They say she appeared to move the object toward the hostage several times.

Door Breached And Woman Shot

After seeing those actions, officers decided to go into the apartment.

They kicked the door several times and forced it open.

According to the release, a Grand Forks County deputy entered with other officers.

Officials say the deputy saw Nesdahl raise a knife toward the hostage’s neck.

The deputy then fired four shots.

Investigators say Nesdahl was hit several times.

Officers moved the hostage out of the apartment after the shooting.

Authorities say he was removed safely.

Nesdahl was given medical aid at the scene.

She was then taken to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Officials say she was pronounced dead on December 6.

Deputy Placed On Leave; Probe Continues

The press release states the involved deputy has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2025.

The deputy’s name has been released by authorities, but is not used here.

Officials say the deputy is on standard administrative leave.

That step is routine for shootings involving law enforcement.

The shooting remains under review by several agencies.

The Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an internal review.

The Grand Forks Police Department is also involved in the investigation.

The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation is leading the outside probe.

Information about that agency is available through the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

City information is posted on the Grand Forks city website.

Officials say more details will be released after the investigation is complete.

The name of the rescued man has not been released.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.