Hundreds at vigil for victims of fatal Grand Forks shooting

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Dozens of first responders paraded through a North Dakota city to honor a police officer who was shot to death by a man being served with an eviction notice.

Hundreds of people also gathered Wednesday night outside a hospital in Grand Forks where a sheriff's officer who was wounded in the exchange of gunfire was recovering. Many held candles or flashlights.

“There’s a hole in my heart that can never be plugged," police Chief Mark Nelson said. “These people wear a badge, these people protect your community, these people ask for nothing in return other than an honest salary. Remember, it is not how this officer died, it is how this officer lived that made him a true hero.”

About 50 first responders formed a procession through Grand Forks with emergency lights activated. The Grand Forks Police Department was lit in blue in respect to the fallen officer, KFGO reported.

According to police, Salamah Pendleton opened fire on two Grand Forks County sheriff’s deputies and two city police officers who tried to serve the eviction papers to him on Wednesday afternoon. One of the officers was killed and a woman was found shot to death in his apartment. Details of her killing have not been released.

Pendleton, 41, was shot and wounded, as was a sheriff’s deputy who is in stable condition.

Gov. Doug Burgum said the U.S. and state flags will be flown at half-staff from dawn to dusk as a sign of respect and honor on the day of the fallen officer’s burial.