North Dakota...
A police officer was killed in a shootout at the American Legion Club in Watford City, North Dakota, on Wednesday. Two other men were held hostage for nine hours and were later freed unharmed. The reason for the incident was apparently over the quality of beer served in the bar.
The incident began at about 1700 CST, when the suspect, identified as 41-year-old Robert Mead, Jr., walked into the American Legion Club bar and complained about the quality of the beer that was served. Mead left and shortly returned with one lever-action rifle and semi-automatic rifle. A witness said, "He fired a shot into the ceiling and then said, 'Now, bring me a real beer."
Police officer Keith Braddock responded to the call of shots fired at the bar and was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with Mead. Mead suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh.
Watford City Police and state police surrounded the building and tried to negotiate with Mead for several hours. It was reported that Mead spoke with officers on Braddock's police radio until the batteries went dead.
The police chief of Watford City said that Mead was well-known to his department. The chief said, "We've had troubles with him before. He appears unstable."
At about 0220 CST on Thursday, Mead calmly walked out of the building and was taken into custody without further incident. Watford City is located in northwestern North Dakota and has a population of about 1,800 people.
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