Bismarck Police Officer Cleared in Fatal Shooting, Returns to Duty
Bismarck, ND — A Bismarck Police officer who was involved in a fatal shooting earlier this year has been cleared of any wrongdoing and is now back on active duty, authorities confirmed this week. The decision comes after an investigation by the North Dakota State Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and a legal review by Burleigh County State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer, who determined the officer’s actions were justified under the circumstances.
The incident occurred on March 7 in the parking lot of a local homeless shelter, where officers responded to a report of a woman behaving erratically inside an SUV. According to officials, the caller described the woman as potentially intoxicated and suffering from mental health issues. The situation quickly escalated upon officers’ arrival.
The woman was later identified as 53-year-old Melanie Udell. According to Bismarck Police and corroborated by body-worn camera footage, Udell was uncooperative when officers asked her to exit her vehicle. Instead, she attempted to flee the scene, accelerating and swerving her SUV toward the officers.
Law enforcement officials stated that Udell’s vehicle narrowly missed striking the officers on her first attempt. As they tried to de-escalate the situation and again ordered her to stop, she reportedly made a second, more direct maneuver with her vehicle—this time hitting one of the officers.
That’s when Officer Nathan Anderson, a six-year veteran of the Bismarck Police Department, discharged his firearm, firing at the vehicle in defense of himself and his fellow officers. Udell was struck by the gunfire and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The officer who was struck by the SUV was treated and released from the hospital the same day.
Officer Anderson was placed on standard administrative leave, which is protocol following any officer-involved shooting, pending the outcome of the investigation. During the review, body cam footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence were evaluated by the State BCI and the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s Office.
After a thorough examination of the evidence, State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer concluded that Officer Anderson acted appropriately and within the bounds of North Dakota law, stating, “Officer Anderson was justified in his use of deadly force. Given the immediate threat posed to officers by Ms. Udell’s actions, it was a lawful and necessary response.”
The shooting has drawn public attention and some debate in the community, particularly due to concerns surrounding mental health crises and law enforcement response. While the incident ended in tragedy, law enforcement officials have emphasized the importance of balancing compassion with safety during volatile and unpredictable encounters.
Bismarck Police Chief Dave Draovitch released a brief statement following the announcement that Officer Anderson had been cleared:
“We extend our condolences to the Udell family during this difficult time. Our officers are trained to respond to dangerous situations with the goal of preserving life, but unfortunately, some situations escalate in ways no one wants. We are grateful that our injured officer has recovered and that the investigative process has been completed with transparency and professionalism.”
Officer Anderson returned to duty this week. The department has not commented further on his current assignment or any changes to protocols following the incident, but it has reiterated its ongoing commitment to officer training in crisis response and de-escalation tactics.
As the community continues to process the events of March 7, conversations around mental health services, crisis intervention, and law enforcement procedures are expected to continue. The Bismarck Police Department has encouraged open dialogue and feedback from the public as it reviews policies and strengthens community engagement.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available. Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or reach out to local support services for assistance.