Laramore (trfnews.i234.me) — A tragic chapter in Laramore, North Dakota, has closed with a chilling resolution. Troy R. Larson, 43, has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life at the Jamestown State Hospital, a secure mental institution, after being found not criminally responsible for the 2024 murder of his uncle, Jamie Hallweger, due to severe mental illness.
The background of this case stems from an incident on March 9, 2024, when Grand Forks County deputies were dispatched to 502 West A Street in Laramore following reports of a shooting. On arrival, deputies discovered that Hallweger, 64, had been fatally shot inside the home he shared with Larson.
A female relative managed to escape the residence and call 911, prompting a rapid and heavy law enforcement response that included the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office, North Dakota Highway Patrol, and a regional SWAT team.
During a tense standoff, law enforcement made repeated attempts to negotiate a peaceful surrender with Larson. However, after breaching the home’s door and deploying a drone, which Larson struck down, Larson fired multiple rounds at officers.
Ultimately, after breaching the residence with a SWAT vehicle and deploying irritants, Larson exited wearing a bathrobe. Despite repeated commands, he made suspicious movements toward his robe pockets, prompting Grand Forks County Sergeant Ryan Wadlow to fire a single AR-15 round, striking Larson. A simultaneous 40mm impact round was also deployed.
After being subdued and treated on-site, Larson was transported for further medical care. Later, a court-ordered mental competency evaluation found Larson was legally insane at the time of the offense and unable to comprehend the wrongfulness of his actions, leading to his civil commitment instead of traditional incarceration.
Key Facts:
-
Defendant: Troy R. Larson, 43
-
Victim: Jamie Hallweger, 64
-
Location: Laramore, ND
-
Date of Incident: March 9, 2024
-
Outcome: Life commitment to Jamestown State Hospital
-
Charge: Murder, found not criminally responsible due to mental illness
I’m Chris Harper, and I’m reporting for TRF News.
Did you know?
Under North Dakota law, when a defendant is found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, they can be committed indefinitely to a secure psychiatric facility if they are deemed dangerous (North Dakota Century Code 12.1-04.1). Their confinement can extend for life unless they are ever deemed safe for release, which is extremely rare in cases involving homicide.