Update—8/29/22—8AM

The suspect in last Friday’s officer involved shooting has been identified as 36-year-old Michael Valu.  He has been charged with one count of Attempted Murder, two counts of Kidnapping, 15 counts of Assault III, and one count of Misconduct Involving a Weapon III.

 The officer who discharged his weapon has been identified as Officer Curtis Wockenfuss.  He has been an officer with APD since December 2017.

Update--08/26/22--11:15AM
On August 26, 2022, at 4:48 AM, Anchorage Police Officers responded to shots fired in the 100-Block of Bunnell Street. The preliminary investigation indicates that during a domestic dispute, the suspect fired a shot inside a residence. No one was injured as a result of that shooting. The adult male suspect fled the scene with an elementary aged juvenile in a grey Nissan Pathfinder.

At 6:29AM, a Patrol Officer spotted the unoccupied Nissan Pathfinder in the area of Lake Otis Parkway and Tudor Road. When officers exited their vehicles to investigate, they spotted the suspect, with the juvenile, on the north side of Tudor walking westbound across Lake Otis Parkway.

Officers attempted to contact the suspect, but he ignored police instructions and continued across the street to a parking lot on the other side of the intersection. Officers could see that the suspect was armed with a handgun.

Officers again ordered the suspect to stop, and he continued to ignore their commands and pointed his handgun at the officers. An Officer discharged their weapon, and the suspect was struck in the midsection and taken into custody. The suspect was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Charges for the suspect will be forthcoming. Suspect identification will be released when charges are filed.

It appears the juvenile was used as a human shield. The juvenile appeared to be uninjured and their identity will not be released.

APD is extremely grateful for the witnesses stayed at the scene and provided statements.

This investigation is ongoing, and we have no further information to release at this time.

Per APD policy, the state’s Office of Special Prosecutions (OSP) will review the officer’s use of force and determine whether or not it was justified. Once that has been completed, APD Internal Affairs will review the officer’s actions to confirm whether or not there was any violation of policy. As per APD practice, the officer will be placed on four days of administrative leave. The name will be released publicly 72 hours after the incident.

Once OSP has completed their investigation, their findings will be available for the public to review.

Original--08/26/22--7:19AM
Officers have responded to the intersection of Lake Otis and Tudor for an officer involved shooting investigation.

A heavy police presence will be in the area for several hours as the investigation continues. Northbound and Southbound Lake Otis Pkwy is closed between 42nd and Tudor Road. Please avoid the area and follow officer’s instructions if you need to be in the vicinity. This is a developing investigation. Depending on the situation, our response may require using a variety of tactics and tools (to include the drone). More information will be forthcoming.

APD Case 22-27751 and 22-27757