Officer involved shooting investigation; 3200-block Penland Parkway

Update on 3/27/18:
The officer who shot the suspect is Officer Randy Morales. He has been an officer with the Anchorage Police Department since May 2015.

Update 3/2518:
The deceased in Saturday night’s officer-involved shooting on Penland Parkway has been identified as 20-year-old Zander M. Clark. Next-of-kin have been notified.

Original:
At 6:28PM on Saturday, March 24, 2018, Anchorage Police responded to the Home Depot at 400 Rodeo Place in reference to a DV-related stabbing. Initial indications are that a male and female were walking together in the Home Depot parking lot when they got into some type of verbal altercation. The male pulled a knife and stabbed the female. The victim ran into Home Depot with a non-life-threatening injury.

The male slashed at least two tires on cars in the Home Depot parking lot and then ran from the scene. Upon arrival an officer saw the suspect in Burger King’s parking lot. The suspect ignored the officer’s commands and continued to run toward the Penland Parkway trailer park. The officer gave chase on foot. After entering the trailer park the suspect turned around, with knife in hand, and ran straight towards the officer. The officer fired; the suspect was declared deceased at the scene.

As with all officer-involved shootings, this case will be reviewed by the State Office of Special Prosecutions. The Office of Special Prosecutions will determine if the use of force was justified. An Office of Professional Responsibility investigation will also be conducted to determine if the officers’ actions were within policy. As per APD practice, the officers will be placed on four days of administrative leave. Their name(s) will be released in 72 hours.

FOR MEDIA – There will be a press conference with Chief Doll this evening at 9PM in the Media Room at APD.

Case 18-12113