Moorhead Police | Arrest Made Following April 17 Shots-Fired Incident

On April 17, 2026, at approximately 2:41 am, the Moorhead Police Department responded to a report of gunshots in the 1100 block of 3 St S. Officers were unable to verify the initial report and found no damage or victims. 

At around 4:45 am, the Red River Regional Dispatch Center received additional calls of gunfire in the same area. Officers returned to investigate. Shortly after 5 am, a resident reported that a possible suspect had entered a home in the 1100 block of 3 St S. As officers approached the residence, they located a discarded rifle near the front of the property. The firearm was secured, and officers made phone contact with a person inside. 

Officers attempted to safely resolve the situation with the suspect, later identified as 28-year-old Malachi Shabaiash of Moorhead. Those efforts were unsuccessful and Shabaiash fled the residence on foot, armed with what appeared to be a rifle. Officers immediately established a perimeter, and a shelter-in-place alert was issued to nearby residents.

A coordinated search was conducted, with assistance from a Clay County Sheriff’s Office K9 team and the Moorhead Fire Department who deployed a drone. The drone assisted in locating Shabaiash, who was hiding in a backyard and was still in possession of a rifle. The K9 team was utilized to take them into custody. 

Shabaiash was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained from the K9 apprehension and later booked into the Clay County Jail. Shabaiash is being held pending longform complaint charges from the Clay County Attorney’s Office.

After Shabaiash was safely detained, a second alert was issued lifting the shelter-in-place. 

Following Shabaiash’s arrest, investigators received additional information; a victim came forward and reported that earlier in the morning, Shabaiash fired at them as they drove away in a vehicle. The vehicle appears to have been struck several times and has been towed for processing and evidence collection. The victim and Shabaiash are known to one another. 

This incident unfolded rapidly, and the Moorhead Police Department is grateful for a safe resolution; there is no ongoing threat to the public. 

Moorhead Police Department is asking that if residents discover property damage consistent with this incident or have any video that capture shots fired, to contact Red River Regional Dispatch Center and request to speak with a Moorhead Police Department supervisor.

The Moorhead Police Department would like to thank the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, and Moorhead Fire Department for their assistance.