A rural roadside stop outside Kulm turned violent Thursday morning, leaving McIntosh County Sheriff Steve Delzer wounded and a deputy injured, and a 26-year-old Seattle man now facing an attempted murder charge. Authorities say the man briefly ran off on foot after an exchange of gunfire before officers found him and took him into custody. Both Delzer and the deputy were treated at regional clinics and placed on leave while the shooting is investigated. Court filings also allege the defendant struck a deputy with a tire jack during the encounter.
What investigators say
According to court documents, the incident started with a 911 call around 7:48 a.m. from a man who claimed people were “hunting him” and said he feared police would shoot him. Sheriff Delzer and Deputy Jorge Oliver found the caller alongside a disabled 2006 Toyota Scion and tried to help. The vehicle stalled again on County Road 33 and, the complaint alleges, the man grabbed a black iron tire jack, hit Deputy Oliver, took the deputy’s gun and opened fire on the officers. Investigators say the officers fired back, then set up a perimeter and used a drone to search the area. The suspect was found near a slough and surrendered, and investigators later collected 32 shell casings at the scene, according to Valley News Live.
Charges and possible penalties
LaMoure County prosecutors have charged 26-year-old Elkin D. Fontecha Gomez with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment, KVRR reported. Prosecutors also filed a Notice of Special Dangerous Offender, a document that can open the door to an extended sentence if a judge finds a defendant especially dangerous. North Dakota court decisions explain that the dangerous-special-offender statute allows qualifying sentences to be extended up to life under state law and precedent.
Local response and court updates
Lamoure County Sheriff Bob Fernandez said Kulm School briefly went into lockdown while officers secured the scene and searched the surrounding area, with a drone helping in the effort, KFGO reported. Sheriff Delzer and the deputy involved have been placed on standard administrative leave. Gomez appeared by video from the Stutsman County Correctional Center for a bond hearing, but the proceeding was postponed because a Spanish-language interpreter was not available, according to Valley News Live. Court filings cited in coverage also note that an attempted-murder conviction involving a firearm can carry mandatory minimum prison time, and that North Dakota sentencing rules can require certain violent offenders to serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for release, as outlined in state code.
What’s next
Authorities say Gomez remains in custody at the Stutsman County Correctional Center in Jamestown and is being held on a $1,000,000 bond, KSJB reported. LaMoure County records show the criminal complaint was filed on May 15, and prosecutors are preparing for additional court hearings once a Spanish-language interpreter is available. Law enforcement officials say the investigation is ongoing and that more information will be released as it is cleared for public disclosure, according to local reporting.
