Man in downtown Fargo shooting incident charged with attempted murder of officer

The man involved in a downtown Fargo shooting incident is being charged with attempted murder for firing his gun at an officer, according to court documents.

Henry Aiken, 54, was charged with five felonies in Cass County District Court including, attempted murder, aggravated assault, terrorizing, reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, Aiken was waiving around a .38 caliber revolver with a green laser outside the entrance of the Radisson Hotel early Friday morning.

Fargo Police Officer Joseph Vegel took a position to the north of Aiken and began yelling commands asking the suspect to drop his gun.

Instead, Aiken pointed his gun with the green laser at Officer Vegel, according to court documents.

The officer considered firing his weapon but Aiken was too far for an accurate shot and Aiken was also partially concealed by the lobby structure.

Aiken then fired his gun at Officer Vegel and the officer immediately retreated further back.

Vegel stated he could hear the rounds of bullet whizzing by him and that his ears began to ring because of the gunshot, according to court documents.

Vegel said he had “never having been so scared in his life.”

Aiken’s five shot revolver was found to have three fired cartridges and two live rounds in the cylinder, according to court documents.

Security camera footage showed Aiken pointing his firearm in several different places at the hotel lobby, including in the direction of officer Vegel.

Aiken is scheduled to appear in district court on December 27, according to court records.