Active Shooter? The Fear Was Real In Bismarck Early This Morning

Something happened early this Saturday morning you would never expect to take place here In Bismarck and Mandan

It was a Friday night, people were celebrating the start of a weekend - a long work week was over. Gathering of friends having a good time at a sports bar, that's it. Enjoying each other's company. Drinks were flowing, and relaxing, and "letting your hair hang down" was the common feeling. Just after midnight, something happened that you would NEVER expect to take place here in Bismarck and Mandan.

Gunshots rang out, and the two words were heard all through The Elbow Room at 115 S 5th Street - "Active Shooter"

The sounds of people simply having a good time when just after midnight gunshots brought understandable panic. Shouts of "Active Shooter" now filled the bar, As you can try and imagine, the first thoughts of those that were inside the Elbow Room were to seek immediate safety - people were seen running into bathrooms, trying to barricade each other from an active shooter. The fear was real, and this WAS happening in our city.

Two men exchanged gunfire that left both of them dead

The Bismarck Police Department's Facebook Page released a statement this morning:

"Victor King, 21, Mandan and Jesus Vera-Leon, 35, Bismarck are dead this morning after an exchange of gunfire that occurred in a downtown Bismarck bar parking lot.

Bismarck Police Officers responded to a shots fired call around 12:30 am this morning in the parking lot located at 115 S 5th St. Two officers were near the area and could hear the gunfire as well and immediately responded. King and Vera-Leon suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to local hospitals and pronounced dead.

The Investigations Division of Bismarck Police Department responded to the scene and began an investigation. They are currently looking through video of the incident and have interviewed numerous witnesses. The investigation is ongoing and we are requesting information from the public who witnessed this and have not talked with police. If you witnessed this, please contact The Bismarck Police Department at (701)223-1212 and ask for the investigation section or, anonymously by downloading the Bismarck Police Department app, visiting https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=21828 or texting BISPD and your tip to 847411"

There were a ton of comments on the Bismarck People Reporting News Group Page. Those who were there last night felt real moments of terror, and someone said it best "Hug your loved ones today"