Tuesday, August 23, 2005



Cavalier, North Dakota, U.S. - James Thorlakson, 54, was being served with an order of protection when he shot his way past police, set fire to the courthouse and jail - then returned as the fires raged and shot Cavalier Police Chief, Ken Wolf, three times. Police initially tried to serve the order to Thorlakson, in rural Hensel, ten miles away from where he started the fires. After shooting the police chief Thorlakson was wounded by gunfire leading to his capture at a hospital 30 miles away. Both he and the police chief are reported to be in satisfactory condition. Insurance agents estimated that the fires caused $1 million in damages and officials have asked people to stay away from the courthouse which will remain inoperable for at least the next week.