Tragic incident in Anchorage: Police shoot 16-year-old girl

Anchorage police say officers shot and killed a 16-year-old girl who came at them with a knife during a domestic disturbance response, the fourth fatal police-involved shooting in Alaska's largest city since mid-May.

Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case told reporters that the shooting occurred late Tuesday night after officers responded to a report of an altercation between two family members. The caller stated that her sister threatened her with a knife. When they arrived, the teen allegedly approached officers with a knife, at which point two of them opened fire.

According to a statement from the police department, officers gave the teen “several commands,” although the exact instructions were not specified. Chief Case confirmed that one officer fired several shots while another fired a less lethal projectile. The teen was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

“She would have started her junior year of high school on Thursday,” Case said, noting that the girl's name has not been released. Anchorage School District Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt said support will be available to affected students and staff when classes resume.

Case explained that department policy requires officers armed with non-lethal weapons to be assisted by those using deadly force, but allows officers discretion depending on the situation. The incident was captured by the officers' body-worn cameras and the investigation is ongoing.

This shooting is the sixth since mid-May involving Anchorage police, four of which have resulted in death. The state's Office of Special Prosecutors has reviewed two cases so far and found that the use of force was justified. The office will also investigate this latest shooting.

Chief Case stated that the department will continue to review its training, tactics and oversight to prevent future officer-involved shooting incidents.

(With contributions from agencies.)