Update on 8/20/24:

From the Attorney General’s Office:

The Office of Special Prosecutions has completed its review of an officer-involved shooting on June 19, 2024, involving 58-year-old Lisa Fordyce-Blair and Anchorage Police Department Sgt. Jon Butler in Anchorage. 

The review determined that Sgt. Butler was legally justified in his use of deadly force against Ms. Fordyce-Blair, which occurred after a 911 caller reported Ms. Fordyce-Blair had threatened him with a rifle.  Officers responded and attempted to serve a felony arrest warrant and search warrant on Ms. Fordyce-Blair. 

Update on 7/1/24:

The preliminary investigation indicates Lisa Fordyce-Blair passed away from injuries sustained when the officer discharged his weapon.

Update on 6/23/24 at 6AM:

The officer who discharged his weapon last Wednesday evening has been identified as Sergeant Jonathan Butler.  He was hired in December 2008.

Update on 6/22/24 at 11:15 AM:

The deceased has been identified as 58-year-old Lisa M. Fordyce-Blair.  Next-of-kin notification procedures have been completed.

A press conference for this incident will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 1PM.  It will be live-streamed on APD’s Facebook page.

Update on 6/20/24 at 2AM:

This incident is now being investigated as an officer involved shooting.

Initial indications are that an interaction occurred outside between the adult female suspect, who was armed with a long gun, and an unarmed neighborhood resident.  The suspect’s actions put that resident in fear of immediate physical harm.  The suspect retreated into her home prior to police arrival; she was the only one inside.

The patrol officers who initially responded to the call made several unsuccessful attempts to contact the suspect and have her exit her house.  Police obtained an arrest warrant for the charge of Assault III; SWAT, TSU, and CNT responded to the scene.  Some area residents evacuated from their homes. Negotiators made multiple attempts at contacting the suspect.  SWAT used several different tactics, to include gas deployment, to encourage the suspect’s cooperation with the commands she was being given.  The suspect remained non-compliant and fired multiple shots inside the home.

Ultimately one SWAT officer discharged their weapon from outside.  During a subsequent search of the residence, officers located the deceased suspect inside.  The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.

Crime Scene will be responding to process the site.  There will be an ongoing police presence in the area while that occurs.

Per policy the State’s Office of Special Prosecutions (OSP) will review the officer’s use of force and determine whether it was justified.  Once that has been completed, APD Internal Affairs will review the officer’s actions to confirm whether there was any violation of policy.  As per APD practice the officer will be placed on four days of administrative leave.  His/her 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.

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

A press conference will be held regarding this incident; the date and time will be forthcoming.

Update on 6/19/24 at 7:20 PM:

APD Special Operations has responded to the scene. That work unit includes the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (SWAT), the Tactical Support Unit (TSU), the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), and/or the Mobile Intervention Team (MIT). Depending on the actions of the suspect, our response may require using a variety of tactics and tools to apprehend him/her. This could also involve the deploying of chemical agents; nearby citizens with respiratory illnesses/sensitivities should remain inside and make sure doors and windows are closed.

Original on 6/19/24 at 5:45 PM:

At 4:39 PM on June 19, 2024, Anchorage Police responded to a disturbance with a weapon on the 7400-block of E 20th Avenue.  There is currently a large police presence while officers investigate; a drone will be used. There are no reports of any injuries.

E 20th is currently closed between Island Drive and Diomede Street. Please follow officers’ instructions if you are in the area.  If you do not need to be in the vicinity, please avoid it and seek alternative routes until further notice.

We ask the public and the media to refrain from posting/publishing photos and/or video of the scene until the situation is over. Showing tactical positions and movements in these types of situations can put the public and officers’ safety at risk.

APD Cases 24-18880 (Disturbance) and 24-18911 (OIS)