A man is in custody following a v!olent altercation with three police officers in downtown Fargo, North Dakota, on Saturday, June 9, a confrontation that was caught on video and has since gone viral online.
The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Joseph Manitowabi, was seen in the footage breaking free from the grip of three Fargo Police Department officers and throwing punches at each of them, including a female officer. The video shows Manitowabi managing to escape their hold briefly before fleeing across the street. According to Fargo PD, he was apprehended shortly afterward following a brief pursuit.
Police say the incident began around 4:30 p.m. when officers responded to suspicious activity flagged by the city’s Real Time Crime Center. Upon attempting to detain Manitowabi, he reportedly resisted and launched into a physical attack on the officers.
Authorities confirmed that Manitowabi was arrested and is facing multiple charges, including preventing arrest, assaulting a peace officer, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All three officers sustained minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital. Fargo PD noted that the investigation remains ongoing.
While some social media users speculated that the confrontation was a form of protest against immigration policy, police have indicated there is no evidence to support that claim. The incident appears to be directly connected to a routine drug-related arrest attempt.
Watch the video below…………………………………………..
👮1 guy pins down 3 cops
🇺🇸A local political activist is trying to express his viewpoint and disagreement with Trump’s immigration policy. pic.twitter.com/pRzzvJtL7s
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 9, 2025
