UPDATE 10:00 a.m. May 29, by Josh Edge, Alaska Public Media:
Fairbanks Police Chief Erik Jewkes was among the names listed of those involved in a fatal officer-involved shooting in the Interior city last week.
Alaska State Troopers say Chief Jewkes, Fairbanks Police Sergeant Ron Dupress, and Officers Tyler Larimer and Dennis Benn fired on, and killed 23-year-old Shawn Buck, who rammed officers with his truck.
Troopers say Buck had outstanding felony arrest warrants.
ORIGINAL POST:
A man who rammed police vehicles with his truck, was shot dead by Fairbanks police officers in Fairbanks. The man, who’s name has not been released, had outstanding felony arrest warrants — according to Alaska State Troopers.
Trooper Lieutenant Brian Wassmann said officers tried to stop the man Thursday afternoon on the Old Richardson Highway.
“The suspect failed to stop, and then led the Alaska State Troopers on a pursuit which went down the Richardson Highway towards North Pole,” Wasserman said. “Witnesses reported to the State Troopers that the suspect fired a gun at pursuing Troopers.”
Lieutenant Wassmann said Fairbanks Police, deployed spike strips that deflated the tires on the suspect’s truck.
Wassmann said that didn’t stop the man who then pulled onto a Mitchell Expressway on-ramp.
”Where he encountered Fairbanks police officers and Alaska State Troopers, the suspect proceeded to ram an occupied Fairbanks Police Department vehicle and an Alaska State Trooper Vehicle,” Wasserman said. “Fairbanks Police officers then discharged their weapons, hitting the suspect and injuring him.”
Wassmann said officers provided first aid and the suspect was transported to the hospital, where he later died.
Alaska State Troopers are investigating the shooting.
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
