Officer involved shooting investigation; E 15th Avenue and Medfra Street

Update on 2/11/15:

In accordance with APD policy, the names of the officers involved in a shooting on February 8, 2015, can now be released. During the incident, APD Sgt. Luis Soto and APD Officer Christopher Vierra discharged their weapons.

Sgt. Luis Soto is an 18-year veteran of the Anchorage Police Department and Officer Christopher Vierra has been with the Anchorage Police Department for 9 months, formerly serving as a police officer in Hawaii. 

The investigation of this incident is still ongoing. As with all officer-involved shootings, this case will be reviewed by the Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals.

Update on 2/10/15:

Anchorage police have positively identified the suspect involved in an eluding and fatal shootout with Anchorage Police on Sunday, February 8, 2015, as 33-year-old John Martin Whittaker. His next of kin have been notified. 

A preliminary investigation of the event has found that the suspect died from officer gunfire. The vehicle driven by the suspect in the eluding was stolen in addition to the gun that Mr. Whittaker fired during the event. Mr. Whittaker had a warrant for his arrest for parole violation based on a felony conviction for Misconduct Involving a Weapon.

Two Anchorage Police Officers discharged their weapons during this incident; per department policy both have been placed on leave and their names will be withheld for 72 hours following the incident. This case remains under investigation and anyone with additional information is asked to contact APD Homicide Detective Trull at 786-2681.

Original on 2/8/15:

Anchorage police are investigating an eluding case and shooting in which the male driver is confirmed to be deceased. 

Around 9:00 a.m. this morning police dispatch received a call reporting an erratic and dangerous driver in a Ford F-250 near Reka Drive and Pine Street. Police located the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle which eluded police. The driver drove into a snowbank in which officers attempted to block him in to prevent him from leaving. The male driver rammed multiple patrol vehicles with his vehicle and at one point pointed a gun at officers. The suspect was able to leave the scene. Officers disengaged the pursuit at this point.

Shortly thereafter, police dispatch started receiving multiple calls that the suspect vehicle was driving erratically, including driving into oncoming traffic on Boniface near Northern Lights. Officers reengaged in their response and located the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle came to a stop at 15th and Medfra. The suspect driver got out of the vehicle, pointed his gun at officers and multiple shots were fired by the suspect and police. The suspect then approached a nearby residence and more shots were fired. The suspect was declared deceased outside of the residence just after 10 a.m. 

Police have shut down 15th Avenue from Karluk to Sitka Street to further investigate the incident. Additional details will be released as they come available.

If there any witnesses to the events in this case that have not yet spoken with police, you are asked to contact police dispatch at 786-8900 and press "0" to speak with a dispatcher.

APD Case 15-5504