Fairbanks police fatally shot a man yesterday. FPD spokeswoman Yumi McCulloch said officers were called to a robbery and assault at the Alaska Motel on South Cushman Street. She said a man, later identified as 28-year-old Fairbanks resident James Robert Richards, was reported to have aimed a gun at a woman in a motel room.
“A short time after that, it was late. Officers said a shot was fired,” McCulloch said. “And once the officers got there, they found the suspect leaving the Alaska motel, still armed on foot, so they followed him.”
McCulloch said officers repeatedly ordered Richards to drop his gun, but he refused.
“The police deployed their tasers, but those were ineffective, and at oe point, the armed suspect grabbed an elderly man waiting at the bus stop and was trying to put him between himself and officers. So, at a last resort, the suspect was fatally shot.”
McCulloch said the officer who shot Richards has been placed on administrative leave. His name will be released in 3 days. McCulloch said the incident was captured on video.
“Most of the officers on scene had body cameras on and we have in-car cameras also,” McCulloch said.
McCulloch said the recordings and other case evidence will be reviewed by the State Office of Special Prosecution.
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
