Man Claiming to Be God Killed in North Dakota Church: Prosecutors Make Shocking Decision

A bizarre and tragic scene unfolded at a North Dakota church when a man claiming to be God violently attacked a volunteer. 🌐 #News #FargoND #NorthDakota #Crime

FARGO, ND – A quiet morning in West Fargo, North Dakota took a dark turn when an altercation outside Prairie Heights Church left one man dead and another cleared of any criminal charges. A violent attack by a 25-year-old man claiming to be God ended in his death after a bystander intervened, firing a fatal shot in what prosecutors have now determined to be self-defense.

Shocking Attack on Church Volunteer

On August 17, 53-year-old Donald Barron was parked outside Prairie Heights Church when he witnessed a brutal attack on a 66-year-old church volunteer by Austin Strom, 25. According to the Cass County Attorney’s Office, Strom approached the church dressed in a white robe and shorts, demanding entry. Despite the church being closed, the volunteer—who was there by mistake due to dementia—confronted Strom at the door.

Things escalated quickly. Strom, proclaiming to be God, threatened the volunteer, saying ominously, “The second death will be upon you if I am not allowed in this house – my house. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Audio captured by the volunteer’s phone records Strom’s increasingly erratic behavior as he pulled on the locked doors and eventually grabbed a rock in an apparent attempt to break in. The confrontation became physical when Strom knocked the volunteer’s phone to the ground, stopping the recording.

Brutal Assault Captured on Camera

Dashcam footage from Barron’s car showed the volunteer trying to keep Strom away from the church entrance. Strom pushed the volunteer to the ground and launched a violent assault, kicking him in the head and face as the older man struggled to get up.

The attack paused briefly before escalating again, with Strom viciously knocking the volunteer down, tearing off his robe, and resuming his assault with repeated kicks to the head.

The level of brutality was clear. Strom, standing over the injured volunteer, showed no signs of stopping, leading Barron to intervene.

Self-Defense: A Lawful Response to Imminent Danger

From his car, Barron could see the unfolding violence. He backed up his vehicle and drove closer to the attack site, where he confronted Strom. Shouting to get Strom’s attention, Barron repeatedly ordered him to stop and get on the ground. Strom, however, was undeterred, responding with more bizarre proclamations, including: “I fear no one” and “I am your God.”

Despite Barron’s warnings, Strom began advancing toward him. Barron, visibly distressed on the dashcam footage, repeatedly yelled for Strom to stay back. As the distance between them closed, Barron, who had his handgun drawn, warned Strom that he would shoot if he did not stop. Strom raised his hands and continued moving forward. Moments later, Barron fired one shot, striking Strom in the chest and ending the confrontation.

Authorities found that Barron had no legal duty to retreat and was justified in using deadly force to protect himself and the volunteer from imminent danger.

Prosecutors Decline Charges: Justified Shooting

The Cass County Attorney’s Office concluded their investigation, determining that Barron acted within his legal rights. The office emphasized that Barron’s actions were a direct response to the violent assault on the volunteer, who was at risk of serious bodily harm or death.

“The law presumed [the volunteer] had a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or serious bodily injury, and Barron had a right to defend him with the use of deadly force,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Strom, who died at the scene from a single gunshot wound, was found to have THC in his system, though it remains unclear whether it influenced his actions that day. At the time of the incident, Strom had been recovering from a seven-year gambling addiction and had recently completed in-patient treatment.

The church volunteer, though badly beaten, is expected to recover from his injuries, which included a lost tooth and stitches to his lip.

While the legal questions may have been answered, the tragedy leaves deep emotional scars for all involved. Our thoughts go out to the family of Austin Strom, as well as to the church volunteer, who endured unimaginable trauma. In times like these, we remember the human toll that lingers long after the headlines fade.

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