FARGO, N.D. -- A second homicide victim was discovered on the city's north side in less than 24-hours.Firefighters were called to the 1100 block of 12th St. N. to a report of a house fire and discovered an adult male dead overnight Monday.
Ashley Hunter, who was wanted in connection with another Fargo homicide on the 300 block of 12 Ave. N. Monday, was arrested about a block to the west of the second crime scene.
The second death and Hunter's arrest come just hours after a standoff in north Fargo forced the closure of a city block for hours Monday night, with dozens of heavily armed officers swarming the scene.
The house on 12th Street is operated by the Newman Center at North Dakota State University, and five men live in the house, according to John Bultman who rents several homes to college students in the blocks around the home and who has lived nearby for 50 years. Fargo property records show the home is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Fargo.
Communications director for the diocese, Aliceyn Magelky, confirmed that the building is owned by the organization. Magelky said the home was being used as a rental property, but could not say who or how many people were renting it.
Bultman said some new residents in the area have told him they've come into the area fleeing gang violence in Chicago.
"It's crazy what goes on around here," Bultman said.
Fargo Police Lt. Joel Vettel said police don't yet know if the two cases are connected, but said that given how close fugitive Hunter was to the second crime scene, it's a good possibility.
Vettel said while Hunter knew the victim in the first homicide, it was unclear whether the second victim knew the men.
Having two homicides in as many days was an "extremely rare" occurrence in Fargo, Vettel said.
Both bodies are being autopsied and results in the first death are expected later this morning.
