Dash and body camera video of Fairbanks Police shooting of a suspect backs law enforcement accounts of what happened. The video released at a press conference shows a high speed chase and fatal shooting of 23-year-old Shawn Buck on May 25th.
The video footage follows Fairbanks Police and Alaska State Troopers chasing Shawn Buck on the Richardson Highway. The video concludes as law enforcement closes in, and Buck is seen holding a pistol to his head, ramming surrounding patrol vehicles with his truck.
Police Chief Eric Jewkes was one of four FPD officers who fired at Buck, so Deputy Chief Brad Johnson led the press conference. Johnson described how the incident began with an attempt to stop Buck on an outstanding felony arrest warrant. Johnson defended officers ultimately firing on Buck.
”At the time the officers fired their weapons, they all believed that they or their fellow officers were about to be killed or gravely injured by Buck,” Jewkes said. “Not only had Buck repeatedly used the truck as a weapon, but he had also used his handgun to fire on them during the pursuit. There were also civilians on the on-ramp whose lives Buck put in jeopardy by his actions.”
Deputy Chief Johnson displayed video captured mid chase, showing evidence of Buck shooting from his truck.
“A bullet hole in the front windshield that was fired from inside the vehicle prior to everything else you just watched,” Johnson said.
A State Trooper investigation found officers were justified in shooting Buck. Deputy Chief Johnson spoke highly of how officers responded, but also expressed remorse.
”We understand that on this day a person lost his life, and there are people in our community that cared about him,” Johnson said.
The sentiment was underscored by City Mayor Jim Matherly.
”Taking a life is the last resort for these officers, but they have a duty to protect themselves, to protect each other who are at the scene and, most importantly, the public — you and me, all of us,” Matherly said.
The officer involved shooting was followed by second fatal incident less than a month later. 21-year-old Mathew Colton Stover of Northway was shot by police after allegedly firing at officers attempting to talk to him. Police anticipate a similar release of video from that shooting after a state investigation is completed.
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
