KENSAL, N.D. -- Local law enforcement officers, supported by regional and state officers, found no victims or intruders after investigating a report by a rural Kensal man that he had shot two intruders he had found in his home Thursday morning.
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Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser said James Devillers, 65, was suffering from dementia when he made the report.
“Talking to the family, we learned Mr. Devillers has had mental health issues,” Kaiser said.
Kaiser referred to Devillers as confused but cooperative. He was transported to the North Dakota State Hospital in Jamestown for evaluation.
Kaiser said the incident started at 11:06 a.m. Thursday, when Devillers flagged down an employee of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, reporting he had found intruders in his home. Devillers reported he shot two intruders and that there may be two more in the home north of Jamestown in east-central North Dakota.
“Talking with James Devillers, and after further investigation, we thought that maybe there were other people in the house,” Kaiser said. “We waited for more help and support.”
The Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Special Operations Team made up of officers from the Jamestown Police Department, Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, Barnes County Sheriff’s Office and Valley City Police Department. The North Dakota Highway Patrol, and Bureau of Criminal Investigation also furnished officers.
In addition, a plane from the North Dakota Highway Patrol and a helicopter from the U.S. Border Patrol were brought to the scene. The helicopter was used to take thermal images of the area looking for additional people or possible intruders.
Kaiser said the Special Operations Team entered the house about 2 p.m.
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“We cleared the scene and didn’t find anything, thankfully,” he said. “No incident occurred and everyone is safe.”
Two spent shell casings were found in the home but Kaiser said it was unknown if they were related to the incident.
Tracy described Devillers as a “super guy” who used to work for the post office.
Kaiser said no criminal charges are pending.
“We want Mr. Devillers to get better and get the help he needs,” Kaiser said.
Kaiser confirmed schools in the area around the home were on lockdown during the incident.
Tom Tracy, superintendent of Kensal Public School, located about 6 miles from the Devillers farm, said the students were kept in a multi-purpose room at the school. Parents were not allowed to come to the school to pick up their children. The lockdown ended at 2 p.m.
Darin Christianson, superintendent of Pingree-Buchanan Public School, said both school buildings were secured around noon as a precaution after he received notice about the incident.
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Christianson said both school buildings went back to normal operation mode around 2 p.m. after he talked with Matt Lokemon, Kensal Public School principal.
