Grand Forks: Two Charged in Pistol-Whip Robbery

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Grand Forks man and woman face felony charges after a robbery in the city.

Police say the call came in at about 3:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. Officers responded to the Link housing complex near Cherry Street.

Police say they met the victim in the main lobby. The victim was bleeding from the back of the head. Police reported a small cut.

What the police say happened

According to court records, the victim said a man in all-black clothing struck him with a handgun. The victim said it happened near a stairway. The stairway sits between Oak Manor Apartments and The Link.

The victim said the man was with a woman. The victim told police the woman had white hair. The victim said she was known as “Z.”

Police have not released the victim’s name. Police also did not confirm any internal injury in the report.

Video and evidence

Police reviewed security video from the building. Police say the video shows the man striking the victim several times.

Police say the gun looked like a Glock-style handgun. Court records say the man also threatened to kill the victim.

Police say the victim reported about $300 in cash missing. The victim also reported a purple baseball cap. Police estimated the hat value at about $60.

Police say a later video showed the suspect wearing the cap in the hallway. Investigators used that video to help identify the suspects.

Arrest and charges

Police later located Jay’lon Ty’rez Bowman and Zariah Juell Marie Milton. Police say they seized a Glock 22 handgun from Bowman.

Court records say Bowman spoke with police after a Miranda warning. Police say he admitted to striking the victim with the gun.

Police say the victim told investigators Milton encouraged the attack. Police also say Milton’s story did not match the video.

Bowman is charged with robbery, aggravated assault, and terrorizing. Milton is charged as an accomplice to robbery and assault.

The charges are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

How to follow the case

Readers can search public case records through the North Dakota Courts records inquiry.

For general information, see the Grand Forks Police Department website.

North Dakota’s robbery statute is listed in the Century Code. Assault and terrorizing laws are also listed in Title 12.1, Chapter 17.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.

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