Suspect Arrested, Victim Identified from Shooting July 24
Jamal Ahmed, age 35, of Moorhead, has been arrested for the death of Franky Torres, age 37, of Moorhead on Wednesday, July 25, 2024.
On Wednesday, July 25, 2024, at approximately 3:20 a.m., officers responded to the 900 block of 18 Street South for a report of a shooting. Officers located a male victim who was transported to Sanford Medical Center by ambulance. The victim had received a critical injury to his head. The victim, Franky Torres, remained in the care of hospital staff until the time of his death.
Torres and Ahmed were present with mutual acquaintances during this incident. Through the investigation, Ahmed was located and detained without incident with the assistance of the Red River SWAT Team and held on probable cause. The investigation has progressed after extensive work, including interviews and evidence collection, and charges are now requested for the murder of Torres. The weapon, described as a pistol, has not been located.
Ahmed is currently being held at the Clay County Correctional Facility on a long-form complaint for Felony Secondary Degree Murder charges. The investigation is ongoing, and the Minnesota Bureau of Apprehension is still assisting. The investigation finds this was an isolated incident, and there is no known danger to the community.

Romkey Park Groundbreaking
The community is invited to join the city of Moorhead for the groundbreaking of ‘Reimagine Romkey,’ the pool replacement and park renovations project. on Thursday, Aug. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. The park is located at 900 19th St. S. A social with refreshments will begin at 1:00 pm, with a short program to begin at 1:30 pm. Groundbreaking will happen immediately after. There will be free admission to the pool and activities for children and families.
Romkey Park was established in 1956 with the main feature, the Moorhead Municipal Pool opening its doors in 1958. The pool has provided generations of Moorhead families with great summertime memories but has lasted long past it’s expected lifetime.
Reimagine Romkey aims to enhance outdoor recreational offerings within the neighborhood. By replacing underutilized amenities, expanding recreational opportunities, and reconstructing the Moorhead Municipal Pool, the project seeks to revitalize the park and promote community engagement in outdoor activities.
The city prioritized the community’s input regarding desired park amenities, alongside pool reconstruction. Following thorough feedback analysis, key amenities emerged. The finalized park concept reflects these preferences and features:
* Pool with diving boards and water slide
* Zero-Entry Wading Pool
* Splashpad outside the pool fencing, accessible and free of charge and extending the season
* Community Room
* Skatepark
* Traditional Playground
* Natural Playground
* Food Forest and Sustainable Landscaping
* Basketball Courts
* Sledding Hill
* Pickleball Courts
* Soccer Field
* Picnic Shelter
* New Trails and Sidewalks

DNR OPENS SALE OF ARCHERY PERMITS ON CAMP RIPLEY
Starting Aug. 1, archery deer hunters can purchase permits to hunt on the Camp Ripley military installation. This archery season, there will be several hunting changes at Camp Ripley:
Camp Ripley will be open to archery hunting by permit only during the entire Minnesota archery season (Sept. 14-Dec. 31), rather than a single weekend.
Hunters will purchase their permits for Camp Ripley through the iSportsman website (ripley.isportsman.net) rather than through the Minnesota DNR’s special hunt lottery.
After registering on iSportsman, hunters will be able to purchase permits, check in and out daily from the hunting area, and view areas that are open to hunting.
State license and registration requirements are unaffected by these changes.
Camp Ripley will allow up to 150 permitted hunters onsite per day during the archery season. Hunters will still need to purchase their archery license and bonus permits in person wherever DNR licenses are sold, by calling 888-665-4236, or by purchasing online (mndnr.gov/buyalicense).
“Camp Ripley wanted to find an option to continue our partnership with the Minnesota DNR, our hunters and neighbors who cherish the outdoors while having minimal interference to our training priority,” said Army Col. Troy Fink, the Garrison Commander of Camp Ripley Training Center for the Minnesota National Guard.
“The Minnesota DNR looks forward to working with Camp Ripley on this new archery hunting season, which is consistent with deer season regulations, will increase public hunting opportunity at Camp Ripley, and will continue to help DNR manage deer populations in the area,” said Beau Liddell, Little Falls area wildlife manager.
The bag limit, licensing options and registration requirements for Deer Permit Area 248 will apply for those hunting at Camp Ripley. Additional information on the Camp Ripley 2024 archery season can be found at www.ripley.isportsman.net.

HIGH-RISK SEX OFFENDER REGISTERS AS HOMELESS
The Fargo Police Department is notifying the community that a registered sex offender, Daniel Fike Grinder, registered as homeless in Fargo. Grinder was assessed as a high-risk offender by the North Dakota Sex Offender Risk Assessment Committee.
Daniel Fike Grinder, 38, is 5’7” and 170 lbs., bald, and with blue eyes. In 2007, Grinder was convicted of three counts of gross sexual imposition in Cass County District Court in North Dakota. The victims were two 14-year-old females and a 13-year-old female. He is a high-risk lifetime registrant. Visit the FPD’s website for a list of frequently asked questions about sex offenders in the city of Fargo.

SUSPECT ARRESTED AND VICTIM IDENTIFIED IN SHOOTING ON JULY 24
Jamal Ahmed, age 35, of Moorhead, has been arrested for the death of Franky Torres, age 37, of Moorhead, On Wednesday, July 25, 2024, at approximately 3:20 a.m., officers responded to the 900 block of 18 Street South for a report of a shooting. Officers located a male victim who was transported to Sanford Medical Center by ambulance. The victim had received a critical injury to his head. The victim, Franky Torres, remained in the care of hospital staff until the time of his death.
Torres and Ahmed were present with mutual acquaintances during this incident. Through the investigation, Ahmed was located and detained without incident with the assistance of the Red River SWAT Team and held on probable cause. The investigation has progressed after extensive work, including interviews and evidence collection, and charges are now requested for the murder of Torres. The weapon, described as a pistol, has not been located.
Ahmed is currently being held at the Clay County Correctional Facility on a long-form complaint for Felony Secondary Degree Murder charges. The investigation is ongoing, and the Minnesota Bureau of Apprehension is still assisting. The investigation finds this was an isolated incident, and there is no known danger to the community.

HEALTH OFFICIALS CONFIRM THREE MEASLES CASES IN TWIN CITIES
The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed three measles cases in unvaccinated children this week in Anoka, Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Based on current information, these cases are not directly linked to each other and have not traveled, so there is concern for possible spread of measles in the community. One case was confirmed on July 22 and two were confirmed on July 24. At the time of report, two of the three cases needed hospitalization.
Initial symptoms of measles include a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes followed by a rash that typically spreads from the head to the rest of the body. It generally takes eight to 12 days from exposure to someone with measles to develop the first symptoms, which are usually runny nose, cough or red eyes, followed by a fever. The measles rash usually appears two to three days after the fever begins.
If symptoms develop, people should call their health care provider before going to a clinic. Calling first is an important way to ensure that proper care is received without accidentally exposing other people to measles.
“Measles spreads easily, and it finds those who are vulnerable,” said Jessica Hancock-Allen, infectious disease division director at MDH. “That is why it is important for families to make sure their children are up to date on their immunizations to protect them from this potentially serious disease.”
The cases this week brings Minnesota to 15 measles cases in 2024. This is an increase compared to other years. All the cases have occurred among unvaccinated children and over 50% of the cases have been hospitalized. Minnesota isn’t the only state that has seen an increase in cases—measles cases are also increasing nationally and internationally. Those who are not immune against measles are at risk for measles.

MOORHEAD POLICE INVESTIGATING MISSING WOMAN’S DEATH
The body of Angela Hart,38, Moorhead, was discovered in the 3000 block of Rivershore Drive on Saturday, July 27. At approximately 8:10 p.m., officers were called to the 3000 block of Rivershore Drive for a report of a bystander who had located a body in a tall grassy area of a Horn Park. The deceased was identified as Angela Hart, who was previously reported as missing. The body had been there for some time, and there were no initial apparent signs of trauma. The body will be transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

LIBRARY TO HOST PET SUPPLY DRIVE & DOG ‘MEET & GREET’
The Moorhead Public Library is partnering with 4 Luv of Dog to offer a pet supply drive along with an opportunity to meet some of the organization’s adoptable dogs. The fun kicks off Saturdaywith a “Meet the Dogs” event from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., introducing the community to some of the adoptable dogs.
The library will accept donations of pet supplies from Saturday through Aug. 9. Among needed donations: Dog and puppy food, treats, bones, crates, bottled water, paper towels and other products for canine care.
On Saturday, Aug. 10, volunteers from 4 Luv of Dog will be featured at Storytime’s “Curious About Careers.” Their program focuses on their favorite books about dog care. They will describe their own work adventures and more. Storytime begins at 10:30 a.m. at the library.

PREDATORY SEX OFFENDER APPREHENDED
A Level 3 predatory offender last seen in Fargo Sunday, July 28, was taken into custody by the Fargo police late Monday. Richard Folden, 67, of Moorhead was reported missing from his residence in the 500 block of Seventh St. S. He has a history of engaging in sexual contact with known female children and teens. He was last seen wearing a hospital gown, purple pants and red or pink shoes.

8TH STREET RAIL CROSSING CLOSES MONDAY, AUG. 5
Starting Monday, Aug. 5, the railroad crossing on Eighth Street between Center and First Avenues North will close, as railroad crews will be replacing the crossing outside of the underpass project limits. It will be closed off for about five weeks.
This will make a slight impact on the current First Avenue detour route, altering where drivers may cross north or south at the tracks. Seventh Street, 14th Street (which is part of the current detour) or the 20th/21st Street underpass will be the best options for motorists, depending on their destinations.. Pedestrians will be detoured to Seventh Street.

TRAINS RUNNING ON TEMPORARY SHOOFLY
Trains are now running on the Hillsboro shoofly, the temporary railroad bypass between Center and First Avenues North. With the shoofly now in place, crews have started excavation, the next step toward construction of the underpass. At the KO (southern) line, crews continue to grade the area and prepare for shoofly construction. They will begin constructing the KO shoofly in coming days.
In Memorial/W.H. Davy Park on the west side of the project, crews are installing pipe for the storm sewer system that drains to the Red River. The walking path/Viking Trail was poured on Friday and will reopen to the public this week.