A member of the North Dakota Air National Guard was shot dead Christmas Eve, and a Homeland Security officer was arrested in the incident, the Guard and North Dakota media reported.

A National Guard statement said Master Sgt. Nicholas Van Pelt, of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, died after a shooting at his apartment in Minot, N.D.

The Minot Daily News said an unidentified woman was critically wounded. The news outlet said Homeland Security officer Daniel Breijo was arrested and charged with felony murder and felony attempted murder.

All judges in the district recused themselves because they knew the victims and the alleged assailant.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to Master Sgt. Van Pelt’s family in this time of sorrow as we too mourn the loss of one of our own members,” said 119th Wing commander Col. Mitch Johnson.

Van Pelt, a native of Ringold, Ga., enlisted in the Air Force in 2001. He became a member of the North Dakota Air National Guard in 2009, where he served with the 219th Security Forces Squadron at Minot Air Force Base.

Van Pelt served as a Ward County Sheriff’s Deputy until May 2023, when he transitioned to serving full-time with the 219th. He is survived by his three children and parents.