A tense standoff at the AmericInn on South 48th Street in Grand Forks ended safely Wednesday evening, with two wanted suspects surrendering to police after hours of negotiations.
The Grand Forks Police Department responded around 4 p.m. after learning that the individuals—both with active felony warrants—were staying at the hotel. Officers quickly secured the area, evacuated nearby guest rooms as a precaution, and asked the public to steer clear. Temporary road closures caused traffic disruptions in the busy commercial corridor near restaurants and retail stores.
Although tactical units and armored vehicles were deployed, police confirmed that no shots were fired during the incident. The peaceful outcome provided relief to residents already on edge due to recent law enforcement activity in the metro area.
“It was unsettling at first—you don’t expect something like this during a normal trip,” said hotel guest Jordan Meyer, who was evacuated. “But the police kept us calm. I’m just glad everyone is safe.”
Grand Forks Police spokesperson Sgt. Matthew Bullinger praised the professionalism of officers and cooperation from the community. “We are thankful this ended with no one hurt,” Bullinger said. “Our goal is always a safe resolution, and our negotiators worked patiently to make that happen.”
The suspects were taken into custody and will face pending charges. Officials say more information will be released once the investigation progresses. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to help keep neighborhoods safe.
Later that evening, University of North Dakota student Emily Carter reflected on the city’s spirit: “There’s something magical about Grand Forks during hockey season—everyone wears green and white, and the whole town feels alive.”
