Prosecutor: Allegation of sexual assault led to fatal shooting in Moorhead – InForum

MOORHEAD – Charges have been formally filed against the man accused in a fatal shooting in Moorhead.

Jamal Ahmed, 35, of Moorhead, made his first court appearance Friday on charges of second-degree murder.

He was taken into custody on $750,000 bail and conditions.

Ahmed, who has previously only been in trouble with the law for minor crimes, could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted.

According to court documents, Ahmed shot 37-year-old Franky Torres in the head on Wednesday morning, July 24, in the parking lot of an apartment complex near Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Witnesses said Torres came to the apartment complex and found a man who allegedly sexually assaulted one of his friends.

As Torres was about to leave, the man came out and started fighting with Torres.

In court documents, investigators wrote that Torres pushed the man to the ground, so Ahmed came out and told Torres to get off the man.

Witnesses told police that Ahmed then shot Torres in the head because Torres would not stop hitting the other man.

Prosecutors allege that Ahmed immediately removed his dreadlocks and cut his hair to change his appearance.

Investigators say Ahmed repeatedly denied pulling the trigger or even knowing anyone involved in the attack.

He was arrested later Wednesday at the apartment complex where the shooting occurred.

Torres leaves behind a wife and a 16-year-old daughter, an 11-year-old son and a 6-year-old son.

Moorhead police said the sexual assault allegation is currently under investigation and no arrests have been made.

Matt Henson is an Emmy Award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Before joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the lead anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years.