A Bismarck Police officer has returned to duty after being cleared of any wrongdoing in a fatal shooting that occurred in March.
Burleigh County State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer announced that Officer Nathan Anderson was justified in his actions when he shot and killed 53-year-old Melanie Udell on March 7. The incident took place in a parking lot outside a homeless shelter.
According to authorities, officers responded to a report of a woman in an SUV who appeared to be intoxicated and experiencing “mental issues.” As officers were investigating the situation, body cam footage shows Udell attempting to drive away.
Bismarck Police stated that when officers ordered Udell to stop and exit the vehicle, she accelerated and swerved toward them. After narrowly missing the officers on the first attempt, Udell swerved her SUV again, striking one of the officers.
At that point, Anderson, a six-year veteran of the Bismarck Police Department, fired his weapon, striking Udell. She later died at the hospital. The officer who was hit was treated and discharged from the hospital later that same day.
Following the incident, Anderson was placed on standard administrative leave while the State Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducted a thorough investigation into the shooting.
