A man died Thursday afternoon after leading law enforcement on a pursuit that ended in shots fired in Fairbanks.
Around 3:15, Alaska State Troopers in Fairbanks saw a known individual who has warrants and attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Old Richardson Highway but the suspect did not pull over, according to troopers.
Fairbanks Police were called in to assist AST and the white pickup was stopped by law enforcement on the Mitchell Expressway ramp.
Lieutenant Brian Wassman with AST said in a press conference early-Thursday evening, “Witnesses reported to troopers that the suspect fired a gun at pursuing troopers during the pursuit.”
Wassman says the driver, who has not yet been identified, turned around and headed northbound on the Richardson Highway where Fairbanks Police were able to successfully deflate the tires on the suspect vehicle by deploying spike strips.
However, that didn’t stop the suspect; he continued driving on Richardson Highway and exited onto the Mitchell Expressway where he was met by troopers and FPD. The suspect rammed an occupied Fairbanks patrol car, as well as an AST unit. That, according to Wassman, prompted Fairbank officers to discharge their weapons.
The suspect was struck around 4:15 and was taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The officers involved in the shooting have not yet been identified; Wassman says their identities should be released in about three days.
AST says the onramp from northbound Richardson to Mitchell will be closed for several hours while an investigation is conducted.
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