A 30 year old Iowa man has been charged with robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with a robbery at a Fargo motel.
Eric Lee Webb robbed the Howard Johnson at gunpoint yesterday afternoon. At one point, he fired into the motel desk. He was later confronted by Fargo police at a nearby gas station. Police say Webb shot at police – and one officer returned fire, wounding him. The officer – Matthew Niemeyer – has been placed on administrative leave
Fargo Police Chief Dave Todd says the investigation will be in two parts.
"The Fargo Police Department will conduct the armed robbery investigation at the Howard Johnson hotel," Todd told Fargo reporters. "As is standard practice, to avoid a conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety, because a Fargo police officer was involved, the North Dakota BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigation) will conduct the investigation of the shooting incident that occurred during the apprehension of the armed robbery suspect."
Todd says since the investigation is on-going, he can’t say much more.
"I will say this -- this was a very dangerous, life-threatening situation for our officers," said Todd. "And I'm extremely grateful our officers are okay and were not harmed."
Cass County States’ Attorney Birch Burdick says he expects Webb’s first appearance will happen next week. And he says if Webb isn’t out of the hospital, the hearing will be held in the hospital.
Officer Niemeyer is a seven year veteran of the Fargo police force.
(Thanks to KFGO, Fargo for the help)