GRAND FORKS (trfnews.i234.me) The sentence was handed down on Monday, April 6. The case centers on a shooting from Jan. 3, 2025. Prosecutors said Poitra and co-defendant Mason Wyatt Allery fired into a moving vehicle with five teens inside.
Walker Michael Poitra, 18, has been ordered to serve 10 years in prison for the attempted murder of five teens in Grand Forks.
Judge Says It Was a Miracle
Two teens were shot in the arm and taken to a hospital. Judge Theodore Sandberg said it was a miracle no one was killed.
The judge pointed to photos showing bullet holes in the hood of the vehicle. He said a slight change in aim could have sent rounds through the windshield.
Poitra spoke during sentencing. He told the court he knew what he did was wrong. He also apologized to the victims and their families.
Shots Fired at Two Scenes
According to court records, the shootings happened in quick succession at two scenes in Grand Forks. Investigators found 15 spent shell casings.
Testing by the North Dakota State Crime Lab linked about half the casings to Allery’s 9mm Taurus handgun.
The remaining casings were believed to be tied to a Glock-style handgun that investigators said matched the weapon Poitra used. That gun has not been recovered.
Plea and Sentence
Poitra pleaded guilty in January under an Alford plea. That means he did not fully admit guilt. Still, he accepted that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him.
He pleaded guilty to five counts of Class A felony attempted murder. He also pleaded guilty to terrorizing, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, and unlawful possession of a handgun by a minor.
Four other reckless endangerment counts were dismissed under the plea deal.
Defense attorney Jeremy Curran asked the court for five years in prison, followed by probation. He argued Allery was the main aggressor. He also said Poitra brought the gun to impress a girl, not to use it.
Judge Sandberg gave Poitra the maximum sentence for a Class A felony. He imposed 20 years, with 10 years suspended.
Poitra must serve 10 years in custody. He received credit for 456 days already served since his Jan. 6, 2025, arrest. After prison, he will spend five years on supervised probation.
The sentence matches the one given to Allery.
If Poitra completes probation, he will not have to serve the suspended 10 years.
Background and Concerns
The court also heard concerns about Poitra’s lack of education and his risk of reoffending. A pre-sentence report listed him as a moderate risk.
Sandberg said he believed the risk was higher. He noted Poitra left school after the eighth grade. The judge said he hopes Poitra earns a diploma while in prison.
More information on North Dakota court proceedings is available through the North Dakota Courts website. Community information is also available from the City of Grand Forks.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.