FARGO (KFGO/KVRR) — Three businesses raised $40,000 to support those involved in the July 14 ambush in south Fargo.
“Kelly Visto of Big Erv’s and Keith with Midwest Tree Service and Skooter’s Plumbing were going to have a private party, actually. Then, this tragedy happened,” Skooter’s Plumbing owner Skooter Thompson said. “So, we decided to turn it into a benefit to help the victims out of this, the officers and Karlee.”
The three businesses presented $30,000 to the Leadership Care Fund.
The rest goes to Karlee Koswick, the 25-year-old bystander from Boston who was shot after a routine crash turned into a deadly ambush on officers.
“At first, I was really surprised,” Koswick said. “I didn’t expect it. Coming from New England, I think things are just different out there. People wouldn’t have reacted in such a big, generous, supportive way.”
Koswick has already had surgeries done on her leg and hip. Her recovery could take another year, but she’s making friends along the way as the community she recently moved to rallies behind her.
“I mean, it’s incredible and just shows how supportive Fargo as a community is,” Koswick said. “That’s the whole reason I felt comfortable coming to the police station to accept the check. I knew that people were being so supportive, and I really wanted to express my gratitude for it.”
The business owners said they’ve sold just under 3,000 blue line t-shirts.
Big Erv’s owner Kelly Visto said people will never know the pain Koswick and the officers went through.
“This was the least we could do,” Visto said. “The community chipped in. It’s the community that did this. We just facilitated our avenues of donors and friends that we knew would donate.”
Koswick said she is excited to be back in Fargo.
Thompson said the businesses are planning an annual benefit for the Leadership Care Fund.
