Grand Forks Teen Sentenced to 10 Years for Hotel Shooting

Walker Poitra pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to a January 2025 incident.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:42pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a handgun magazine against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the evidence and investigation of a crime.A recent shooting incident involving minors in Grand Forks underscores the need for comprehensive solutions to address youth crime and gun violence.Grand Forks Today

A Grand Forks, North Dakota teenager named Walker Poitra has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a shooting outside a hotel in January 2025. Poitra pleaded guilty to charges including attempted murder, terrorizing, and unlawful possession of a handgun. Another teen, Mason Allery, was also sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in the incident.

Why it matters

Gun violence and crimes involving minors are serious concerns in many communities. This case highlights the need for effective intervention and rehabilitation programs to address the root causes of youth crime and prevent further incidents.

The details

On January 3, 2025, police responded to a call about suspicious activity at a hotel in Grand Forks. The victim reported that Allery had pulled a gun on her during a confrontation. Twenty minutes later, police responded to reports of gunshots at a different location and apprehended Poitra and Allery. Witnesses said Poitra had a handgun and fired multiple rounds at a vehicle with five people inside, two of whom were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

  • On January 3, 2025, police responded to a call about suspicious activity at a hotel in Grand Forks.
  • Twenty minutes later, police responded to reports of gunshots at a different location and apprehended Poitra and Allery.
  • On April 6, 2026, Poitra pleaded guilty to multiple charges.
  • On April 8, 2026, Poitra was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised probation.
  • On January 12, 2026, Allery was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The players

Walker Poitra

A Grand Forks teenager who pleaded guilty to charges including attempted murder, terrorizing, and unlawful possession of a handgun in connection to a shooting outside a hotel in January 2025.

Mason Allery

A 16-year-old Grand Forks teenager who was also involved in the January 2025 shooting incident and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

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The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of addressing the complex issues surrounding youth crime and gun violence in order to promote public safety and provide opportunities for rehabilitation and positive change.