CAVALIER (AP) A man accused of shooting Cavalier's police chief may have caused $1 million in damage by setting fire to a law enforcement center and the Pembina County courthouse, county and state officials say.
James Thorlakson, 54, of rural Hensel, was being charged Sunday with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of arson, said Stuart Askew, the Cavalier County state's attorney. Additional charges may follow, Askew said Sunday.
The prosecutor said Thorlakson's initial court appearance, to advise him of the charges and to set his bond, would be held early this week. It may be moved outside Cavalier. "Our courthouse is not functional, and may not be available," Askew said.
Thorlakson was listed in satisfactory condition Sunday at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, a nursing supervisor said. He was wounded during gunfights with officers, and was arrested in Park River, a Walsh County community about 30 miles south, while seeking medical treatment.
Ken Wolf, Cavalier's police chief, was also listed in satisfactory condition at Altru. Wayne Samdahl, the Pembina County sheriff, said Wolf was hit in the leg, back and buttocks.
"I'm not sure how much damage was done, but (Wolf) is in stable condition and not happy about the situation," the sheriff said.
Samdahl said Thorlakson set the fires after splashing gasoline on the law enforcement center and a courthouse hallway.
The rampage began after officers tried to serve Thorlakson with a protection order at about 4 p.m. Friday. Thorlakson, who was armed with a pistol, shot at the officers, managed to escape and then drove to the county courthouse in Cavalier, about 10 miles northeast. Samdahl said he could not comment about details of the protection order.
Thorlakson fired through a glass entry door at the law enforcement center, which holds the 911 emergency dispatch center, sheriff's office and jail. He splashed gasoline on a wall, set it afire and then drove to a back door of the nearby courthouse, where he poured gasoline in a hallway, the sheriff said.
Two prisoners were evacuated from the burning jail and taken to another jail in Langdon, in neighboring Cavalier County.
Thorlakson left the scene, then returned to the courthouse while firefighters were trying to extinguish the fires in both buildings. He then shot Wolf, Samdahl said.
"The chief was coming out of the parking lot and didn't see him right away," Samdahl said. "The man opened fire from the courthouse parking lot as Ken was crossing the parking lot."
The police chief hid behind a power supply box in the back of the courthouse, but was hit in the back of his leg, rear and back, Samdahl said.
Thorlakson then fled again, exchanging gunfire with two deputies. He was missing for about five hours, Samdahl said. His car was found at his farm, which is south of Icelandic State Park. He drove to Park River in a pickup.
The courthouse will be closed Monday and Tuesday for repairs. Rebecca Ault, Pembina County's emergency manager, said emergency radio, paging and 911 service have been restored at the law enforcement center.
Samdahl said the courthouse's offices and public records are intact. Jim Poolman, North Dakota's insurance commissioner, said Sunday that damage to both buildings may exceed $1 million. They are insured through a state insurance fund.
The courthouse's glass dome and paintings were damaged by smoke and water. They were recently restored, at a cost of $18,000. Pembina County officials were planning a dedication ceremony next month.
Posted in State-and-regional on Sunday, August 21, 2005 7:00 pm Updated: 6:41 pm.
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