BISMARCK -- The man charged in Tuesday's confrontation at U.S. Foods allegedly called local dispatch and threatened to shoot police, as well as his ex-girlfriend, while fleeing to eastern North Dakota.
Bismarck Police Officer Mike Renton testified at a probable cause hearing held Tuesday that the suspect, James Vann, called in threats: "Something to the effect of, I know you're looking for me, but I'm not going to turn myself in until she's - or until I shoot her and she's dead," referring to his ex-girlfriend. He allegedly said he had a gun and "he's not afraid of law enforcement because he will shoot us all."
Police traced the cellphone used by Vann to find him in eastern North Dakota, where he was arrested.
The incident that shut down multiple city blocks midday Tuesday and ended with Vann's arrest in Wahpeton, started as a dispute with an ex-girlfriend, according to Renton.
Vann allegedly went to the ex-girlfriend's house Tuesday morning while she was sleeping. Her son was home, too.
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The woman told police the two were in the process of separating and got into a verbal fight. The woman decided she had to get away and walked down the street. Vann followed her in a car.
In an effort to escape Vann, the woman said she went through a neighbor's yard, hopped a fence and walked into the bathroom at U.S. Foods.
Vann attempted to enter the building, but allegedly was confronted by two people near the building. He was reported to have cocked a pistol, looked at one of them and said, "Are we going to have problems?"
One of the witnesses told police she was so nervous she could not use her fingers to dial 911.
The ex-girlfriend told police that her son reported seeing Vann carrying a gun and saying he wanted to kill her. The son told police that he saw Vann flee in a pickup. Police traced the vehicle to Mandan, where Vann allegedly switched to another vehicle.
Vann was arrested by Richland County law enforcement Tuesday night and returned to Bismarck for court on Thursday. He is charged with four counts of felony terrorizing relating to threats made to his ex-girlfriend, police and the two bystanders.
He is being held on $200,000 cash bond. Each charge carries a two-year mandatory minimum penalty.
