Grand Forks Man Accused of Threats in Standoff

Grand Forks (trfnews.i234.me) — A Grand Forks man faces charges after an apartment standoff on July 29.

Police said the incident began around noon at 515 First Avenue South in downtown Grand Forks.

Officers responded after receiving a report about a tenant yelling at another tenant’s young daughter.

Girl Reports Frightening Encounter

Court documents identify the man as 56-year-old Ricardo Guajardo Cepeda.

The girl told police Cepeda approached her outside the apartment building.

She said he told her to stop talking about his nephew.

Documents say he also used a vulgar name while speaking to her.

The girl and her mother said the encounter frightened them.

According to court documents, Cepeda moved toward the building when officers arrived.

Police said he kept one hand behind his back during the encounter.

He allegedly suggested he had a gun and warned an officer not to approach.

Documents say Cepeda threatened to shoot the officer if he moved closer.

Cepeda then entered the apartment building and refused to come outside.

Police said he continued making threats from inside the apartment.

Officers established a secure area while specialized teams responded.

The response included SWAT members, crisis negotiators, a K9 team, and a drone unit.

Police used a drone to look through an open apartment window.

Court documents say Cepeda damaged the drone during the standoff.

Investigators later obtained a search warrant for the apartment.

Police used less-lethal chemical munitions before taking Cepeda into custody.

No officers, residents, or bystanders were injured during the incident.

Altru Ambulance and the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

Cepeda is charged with terrorizing, according to court documents.

Police also forwarded possible criminal mischief and disorderly conduct charges to prosecutors.

Those additional allegations remained under review when the initial documents were filed.

Readers can find public court information through the North Dakota Court System.

Information about local law enforcement is available from the Grand Forks Police Department.

Cepeda is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.