At 4:15 AM on April 19, 2024, a mid-shift patrol officer was near E 56th Avenue and Lake Otis Parkway when he heard multiple gunshots.  Shortly thereafter the officer saw a silver 2016 Ford Explorer SUV being driven from the area at a high rate of speed. 

The officer followed from a distance and did not initiate a traffic stop until backup units had arrived.  The officer witnessed the suspect driver speed and run red lights.  The officer activated his patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and siren on Brayton Drive near the New Seward Highway. The suspect did not yield and continued to swerve on the roadway.  Due to the suspect driving at over 100 mph, the officer discontinued the pursuit.  Immediately thereafter the officer saw a lot of dust in the air.  As the officer got closer, and the dust began to settle, the officer saw the suspect had driven off the roadway and into an embankment, running over two street signs in the process.  The suspect attempted to drive up the hill, but the Explorer’s right front tire was deflated and digging into the grass as the suspect kept pressing the gas pedal.  44-year-old Anthony J. Conway fled from the SUV on foot all the while ignoring the officer’s commands to stop.

Conway ran westbound across the Seward Highway.  Responding officers set up a perimeter around the strip mall located in the southeast corner of the Old Seward Highway and Dimond Boulevard.  A K9 track team located Conway hiding under a container behind the strip mall in the northeast corner.  Officers could see an empty holster on Conway’s hip.  Conway was given multiple commands to include K9 and less lethal warnings.  Conway was non-compliant and continuously reached into the area of his waistband and pockets.  K9 Kiska was deployed. 

The K9 contacted Conway on his left arm.  Conway remained uncooperative and uncontrollable; he was struck in the leg by a 40mm baton round at which time Conway became compliant and was taken into custody without further incident.  Conway was transported to a hospital for treatment of the bite and 40mm deployment.  During their contact with Conway, officers noticed signs of impairment.  A search warrant was obtained for Conway’s blood.  When the phlebotomist arrived for the blood draw at the hospital, Conway became combative.  He had to be restrained during the search warrant service.  Once complete, Conway stopped fighting. 

Anthony Conway was remanded at the Anchorage Correctional Complex on the charges of Criminal Mischief IV, Fail to Stop, Driving While License Revoked, Misconduct Involving a Weapon IV – Possess While Intoxicated, Felony DUI (third or more offense in prior ten years), Misconduct Involving a Weapon I – Fire from a Vehicle, Resisting, Leave the Scene of an Accident, and Misconduct Involving a Weapon III – Felon in Possession.

After Conway fled from the crash site, officers saw a handgun lying in plain view inside the abandoned Explorer.  The Explorer was seized as evidence and will be searched once a warrant has been obtained.

No injured persons were located as a result of Conway firing his weapon. 

APD Case 24-12095

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