A police officer was shot during an exchange of gunfire with a suspect at a campground in Alaska, authorities said.
The incident occurred when two officers who were conducting a security check at the campground in Anchorage's Centennial Park on Wednesday evening encountered a man they suspected of earlier eluding police, the Anchorage Police Department (APD) said in a news release.
"At some point during the encounter, the suspect produced a handgun and gunfire was exchanged," police said.
One officer sustained serious injuries, while another officer was unharmed, according to police. Both officers returned fire at the suspect. The suspect was shot multiple times, police said. The wounded officer and suspect were transported to hospital and both are expected to survive.
Police did not identify the man but said he will be criminally charged. No details were given about what charges he may face.
The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave and will be identified in three days per the police department's policy. The state's Office of Special Prosecutions (OSP) will review the officers' use of force and determine if it was justified.
The department's internal affairs unit will then review to confirm if any policies were violated. "Once OSP has completed their investigation, their findings will be available for the public to review," police said.
Anchorage Police Chief Michael Kerle told reporters on Wednesday night that it was not clear who fired the first shot.
Witnesses told the Anchorage Daily News that they heard a barrage of gunshots at around 8 p.m. One witness, Michael Baker, said he was camped in his Subaru Outback when he saw officers drive up to a campsite nearby.
"My windows are fogged up and next thing I heard was gunshots," Baker told the paper. "And then I got up and looked out, and the police officer was down and the other officer had the other guy on the ground."
He said the officer had a gun pointed at the man, who was on the ground next to a van.
More than 40 evidence markers surrounded the van, the Daily News reported, and it had shattered windows and visible bullet holes.
Centennial Park is being used as a sanctioned campground for people experiencing homelessness after the closure of a mass shelter at Sullivan Arena at the end of June, according to the Daily News. City officials estimate about 180 people have consistently stayed at the campground, while volunteers estimate the number is over 200.
In recent weeks, elected officials, advocates and others have raised concerns about conditions and safety at the campground.
A woman died of an overdose at the campground last week. And a fight on Sunday triggered a large police response and led to officers being assaulted, police said.
Newsweek reached out to the Anchorage Police Department and Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson's office for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Khaleda Rahman is Newsweek's Senior News Reporter based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on abortion rights, race, education, ... Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
