The Bethel Police Department responded to a call on Monday night involving former Mayor and former Alaska State Trooper Perry Leroy Barr.
According to the court documents and a police affidavit, at around 11:30 p.m. on Monday, Barr’s partner dialed 911 saying Barr was “suicidal and holding a gun to her” at their home in the Tundra Ridge subdivision. Dispatch also reported that they could clearly hear Barr yelling “suicide by cop” in the background, according to court documents.
Dispatchers also said the couple were fighting over the gun prior to officers’ arrival, according to court documents. Police arrested Barr when they reached the residence.
Barr’s partner said he returned home drunk and the couple started arguing, then things escalated, according to court documents.
Bethel police said they confiscated a shotgun from the home and Barr was taken to the Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center, charged with assault and criminal mischief for placing his partner in fear of imminent physical injury by holding a gun to her.
Barr was arraigned on Tuesday, and he pleaded not guilty. He said he would hire his own lawyer and denied a court-appointed attorney.
Barr’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 30 at 3 p.m.
