Update 11/4:
The law enforcement officers that discharged their firearms during the incident that occurred on Nov. 1 on the Parks Highway are identified as:
- Alaska State Trooper Sergeant Aaron Mobley, a 20-year veteran of the Alaska State Troopers currently assigned to the Fairbanks Criminal Suppression Unit
- Alaska State Trooper Scott McAfee, an 8-year veteran of the Alaska State Troopers currently assigned to the Fairbanks Criminal Suppression Unit
- Alaska State Trooper Trevor Norris, a 2-year veteran of the Alaska State Troopers currently assigned to the Fairbanks Criminal Suppression Unit
- North Slope Borough Police Department Task Force Officer John Swope, a 2-year veteran of the NSBPD, currently assigned to the Fairbanks Area Narcotics Team
Update 11/2:
The adult male driver is identified as 45-year-old Fairbanks resident Michael Grimes.
His next of kin have been notified. Further investigation resulted in the arrest of the female passenger for Misconduct Involving a Weapon III. 42-year-old North Pole resident Melody Perry was remanded to Fairbanks Correctional Center following her arrest.
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is continuing its investigation into the incident.
Original Story:
A high speed pursuit involving Alaska State Troopers ended in a fatality on Wednesday when Troopers were forced to return fire against a fleeing gunman. It is the second time this week that AST has been involved in the shooting death of a suspect.
The chase began shortly after 1pm on Wednesday when State Troopers attempted to stop a pick-up truck on the Parks Highway just north of Healy. The pick-up truck failed to stop for the marked Trooper vehicles, and the pursuit was initiated heading northbound toward Fairbanks.
During the pursuit, the driver of the pick-up drew a gun and opened fire on the pursuing Troopers. According to the AST dispatch filed with the Department of Public Safety, the man shot a firearm multiple times.
Due to the extreme public safety risk that the driver posed to the public, Troopers and other law enforcement officers assisting with the pursuit returned fire, striking the driver. Through vehicle interdiction tactics, including spike strips and a pursuit intervention technique (PIT), the pick-up was eventually forced to a stop. Despite stopping and being shot, the gunman continued firing on law enforcement.
Following the additional exchange of gunfire between officers and the suspect, the driver collapsed. He was declared deceased at the scene.
An adult female passenger was unharmed.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Parks Highway was intermittently closed for approximately 3.5 hours as Troopers documented the scene and removed the vehicles from the roadway. The adult male suspect’s body has been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy, and his identity will be released when next of kin have been notified.
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation has responded to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting. The law enforcement officers who discharged their firearm have been placed on 72 hours of administrative leave in accordance with department policy. The names of the officers who discharged their weapons will be released in 72 hours. Once ABI’s investigation is complete, it will be independently reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions.
This is an updated version of a story originally published on Nov. 1.
