An Anchorage police officer shot and wounded a driver in a traffic stop after the driver allegedly approached the officer with knife-like weapons early Monday evening in Fairview, marking the fifth officer-involved shooting for the Anchorage Police Department in 2013.
An officer performed a traffic stop just after 6:00 p.m. on E 12th Ave near Hyder St, according to APD spokesperson Jennifer Castro.
"A driver with two knife-bladed type weapons came at the officer who was by himself and the officer fired at the driver," Castro said. "There were multiple shots fired."
Police did not immediately release details about the driver's identity, gunshot wounds, or how many times the officer fired. Castro said the driver made it about three feet away from the officer's door and was taken to an area hospital.
"The officer was by himself and he has to make a quick decision out of the safety for others," Castro said. "In most situations, they'll be themselves, sometimes an additional officer will come on scene, so it really depends on what the traffic offense is."
Police have interviewed at least one witness to the shooting, and the Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals will investigate the shooting.
The name of the officer will be released after 72 hours per policy involving all police shootings and the officer will also be on leave for 72 hours.
APD has had five officer-involved shootings this year with the most recent incident happening in Muldoon on May 12th.
This is a developing story. Please check KTUU.com and the Channel 2 newscasts for updates.
Contact Neil Torquiano