Grand Forks: NDHP IDs Pursuit Death

GRAND FORKS COUNTY, N.D. — The North Dakota Highway Patrol has identified the person who died following a brief pursuit south of Grand Forks Friday evening as 23-year-old Titan Newton of Oregon.

According to the Highway Patrol, troopers were alerted at about 5:39 p.m. Friday (Jan. 2) after a 911 report of an erratic driver in Grand Forks County. A trooper located the vehicle on Interstate 29 near mile marker 138, south of Grand Forks.

NDHP says the vehicle stopped before emergency lights were activated. When the trooper asked the driver to exit, the driver refused and fled. The pursuit lasted about one mile before the vehicle became stuck in the median.

Authorities say the driver was pronounced deceased at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. NDHP also said no law enforcement officers discharged their weapons.

Scanner traffic described a prolonged standoff

Radio traffic from the scene indicated officers attempted to communicate with the driver using a PA system and later used a drone to gain visibility into the vehicle. The traffic also described officers ultimately approaching the vehicle with a ballistic shield before determining the driver was deceased.

Traffic impacts and agencies involved

NDHP reported I-29 was shut down at about 6:00 p.m. and later reopened to one lane at about 6:20 p.m.

In addition to the Highway Patrol, responders included the Grand Forks Police Department, the Grand Forks Sheriff’s Office, and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which is assisting with the investigation.

Update: NDHP identified the deceased as Titan Newton of Oregon and said the vehicle was a 2024 Toyota Corolla.

If you or someone you know needs help: Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). It’s free and confidential.

TRF News will continue to follow updates as they are released.

Sources:
• NDHP media release (Jan. 2, 2026): Grand Forks County Pursuit/Shooting Investigation