West Fargo Police Release Videos of Deadly Church Shooting – InForum

WEST FARGO – Three separate videos from witnesses provide a first look at the investigation into a fatal shooting outside a West Fargo church that occurred on the morning of August 17th.

In October, the Cass County Prosecutor's Office prosecutor who reviewed the case called the videos “significant” in determining whether charges should be filed.

No charges were filed. Prosecutors say the man who fired the fatal shot, Don Barron, 53, a driving instructor in West Fargo, had a claim of self-defense and a claim of defense of others.

Prosecutors say 66-year-old Kent Hodges showed up at the Prairie Heights church around 7:45 a.m. Saturday morning, August 17th. They believe Hodges, who suffers from dementia, thought it was Sunday.

“Peace and love is all we want, that’s all we need,” says 25-year-old Austin Strom in one of the videos.

This is from a clip Hodges recorded on his cell phone shortly after he arrived and was confronted by Strom. Both men attend church.

Prosecutors told WDAY that Hodges began recording electricity because of his behavior. Strom had been sleeping in his SUV in the church parking lot the night before. Hodges doesn't say a word in the video, Strom talks the whole time.

“No, I have to go to my house. I am not a believer. The second death will come to you if I am not allowed to enter this house,” Strom says in the video.

Towards the end of one video, Strom tries to get into the church, but the doors are locked. He picks up a rock and it looks like he plans to break the glass. Then Hodges gets into an argument with Strom.

Hodges' phone then fell to the ground. Police say Strom then pushed Hodges to the ground twice and repeatedly kicked him in the face. It's not on camera, but the attack catches the attention of Barron, who is parked in a nearby parking lot. He rushes over to intervene.

Barron can then be heard telling Storm to get on the floor several times.

“We have one guy beating up this other guy. I saw her out here earlier. Now a guy has a gun pointed at him,” Barron said.

Witness video shows Barron and Strom talking for about two minutes. Strom continues to make religious statements while Barron tells Strom to hold back. Strom then raised his hands in the air and walked toward Barron.

Prosecutors say Barron fired a fatal shot into Strom's chest as Strom closed the distance between the two men to a few feet.

Prosecutors say Barron immediately called 911 and then called an attorney. He never made a statement to investigators.

Austin Strom's family said they could not comment at this time.

Matt Henson is an Emmy Award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Prior to joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the lead anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years.