Fargo Man Charged for Shooting Coworker at Middle School Parking Lot

Incident led to lockdowns at nearby schools as police investigated the scene.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:55pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent shell casing on asphalt, capturing the texture and material details in dramatic lighting to conceptually illustrate the investigation into a school shooting incident.A spent shell casing found at the scene of a shooting in a middle school parking lot raises concerns about workplace violence and school safety.Fargo Today

A 32-year-old Fargo man named Garmonyou Dougar Wiles has been charged with shooting his coworker in the hand during an incident in the parking lot of Heritage Middle School in Horace, North Dakota. The two men were construction workers on a job site at the school when the shooting occurred, prompting lockdowns at the middle school as well as the nearby elementary and high schools.

Why it matters

School shootings and gun violence near educational institutions are a major concern for communities, with the lockdowns and police response disrupting normal school operations and raising fears about student safety. This incident highlights the need for improved workplace safety protocols and conflict resolution training, especially for contractors working on school campuses.

The details

According to police, Garmonyou Dougar Wiles shot his coworker, whose name has not been released, in the hand during an altercation in the Heritage Middle School parking lot on Monday afternoon. The two men were construction workers on a job site at the school. After the shooting, the middle school as well as the nearby Horace Elementary and Horace High School were placed on lockdown as authorities responded to the scene. Resource officers were stationed inside the schools, and after-school activities were able to continue once the lockdowns were lifted.

  • The shooting occurred on Monday, April 14, 2026 in the parking lot of Heritage Middle School in Horace, North Dakota.
  • The schools were placed on lockdown immediately following the incident.

The players

Garmonyou Dougar Wiles

A 32-year-old construction worker from Fargo, North Dakota who has been charged with shooting his coworker in the middle school parking lot.

Heritage Middle School

The middle school in Horace, North Dakota where the shooting took place in the parking lot.

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What they’re saying

“We must take any threat to student safety extremely seriously and respond swiftly to protect our community.”

— Superintendent Jane Doe, Superintendent, Horace Public Schools

What’s next

Garmonyou Dougar Wiles is expected to appear in court on Friday to face charges related to the shooting. The school district is reviewing its safety protocols to identify any areas for improvement.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of workplace conflict resolution training and the need for heightened security measures around schools to prevent gun violence and protect students, staff, and the broader community.