Anchorage Police Officer Ambushed in Fatal Downtown Shooting

Author: KSRM News Desk |

At 4:36 a.m. Saturday morning, an officer reported to dispatch that shots were fired and medics needed to respond to the area of 5th Avenue and Cordova Street. It was reported to dispatch that another officer had been shot and a male had been shot as well. An officer was transported to a local hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. The officer is currently undergoing emergency surgery and is expected to survive. A male with multiple gunshot wounds was declared deceased at the scene.

 

A preliminary investigation found that an officer was responding in their patrol car to a report of a theft suspect who was on foot in the area of 5th Avenue and Cordova. As the officer was initiating a stop, a male brandishing a gun approached the patrol car and started firing at the officer. The officer was shot multiple times and also returned fire. Another APD officer arrived as shots were being fired and that officer also shot at the suspect. Additional officers responded and rendered aid to the injured officer and the suspect. The suspect was declared deceased at the scene. APD’s
The State Office of Special Prosecutions will determine if the Officers use of force was justified.

 

The APD’s Office of Internal Inspections will determine if the Officers use of force was within department policy. Following department policy, both officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on four days of administrative leave and their names will be released 72 hours following the event.