Update 4/4/19:
The officers who fired their weapons are the following:

Officer Nathan Lewis (with APD since December 2016)
Officer Matthew Hall (with APD since November 2013)
Officer Brett Eggiman (with APD since June 2018)

Update 4/2/19:
The suspect has been identified as Bishar Hassan (31 years old). Next of kin procedures have been completed.

Update 4/1/19 8:45 p.m.:
At 5:43 PM on April 1, 2019, Anchorage Police began receiving calls from multiple citizens stating there was a man walking near Walmart on A Street with a gun in his hand. The callers stated the gun appeared to be a black handgun and that the suspect was waving it around. The suspect was described as a black adult male wearing a black puffy jacket.

As officers were responding to the area, it was reported to Dispatch that the man had boarded a People Mover bus that was heading northbound on A Street. At 5:51 PM an officer reported the male got off the bus at 16th and A Street. He was walking southbound on the east side of A Street when several officers pulled up. The officers gave orders for the suspect to stop walking. The male ignored the commands, and while continuing to advance towards the officers, pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it in the direction of officers. In response three officers fired their duty weapons multiple times; none of them were injured. Officers secured the suspect and then provided first aid until medics arrived and transported the male to the hospital. He was declared deceased shortly before 8pm.

The weapon has been identified as a BB gun. The photo attached is a stock photo of the gun the suspect had in his possession.

The officers will be placed on mandatory administrative leave for 72 hours. Their names will be released at the completion of that term. The case will be given to the Office of Special Prosecution for review. An Internal Affairs investigation will be conducted as well. Crime scene and homicide investigators are assisting with this investigation.

The suspect’s name will be released once next-of-kin notification procedures have been completed.

A Street between 16th Avenue and 12th Avenue remain shutdown as officers continue to investigate the scene. Please avoid the area and use alternate routes.

Original 4/1/19:
At 5:43 PM on April 1, 2019, Anchorage Police began receiving calls from multiple citizens stating there was a man walking near the roadway while holding a handgun. Officers confronted the male in the area of 16th Avenue and A Street. Shots were fired; the adult male suspect was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The officers were not harmed. This is a developing story and more information will be forthcoming. The northbound lanes of A Street are closed at 16th Avenue. Please avoid the area.

Case 19-11598