FARGO (KFGO) – Cass County State’s Attorney Birch Burdick has cleared a state trooper of a crime in the shooting of a man during a July crime spree in south Fargo.
Burdick said his review of the investigation into the July 19 shooting of Maichael Yousa showed that Yousa displayed unpredictable, erratic and dangerous behavior and that North Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper Miles Rhonemus “could reasonably conclude Yousa posed an immediate threat to public safety and the trooper.”
“Trooper Rhonemus’ action removed that threat,” Burdick said. “I conclude that no criminal charges are warranted against Trooper Rhonemus and I decline to issue any such charges.”
Maichael Yousa, 28, was charged with attempted murder, reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, fleeing and driving under suspension.
Yousa is accused of rear-ending a motorcycle on I-94 and fleeing the scene before later firing shots from his apartment near Essentia Health in south Fargo.
Officers responded to the shots fired, but before they arrived Yousa fled the building.
Trooper Rhonemus spotted Yousa when he crashed into another vehicle. Trooper Rhonemus attempted a stop and Yousa initially pulled over, but then drove off onto I-29.
Yousa allegedly rear-ended a vehicle and came to a stop.
Burdick said Yousa refused to drop a handgun and fired shots into the air. That was when Trooper Rhonemus fired at Yousa and shot him four times in the shoulder.
Yousa was treated at a hospital before being taken to jail. He recovered from the bullet wounds.
