A traffic stop Sunday evening in Fairview turned violent after a male passenger in the vehicle pulled out a handgun and two Anchorage police officers at the scene shot at him, police said.

The man suffered a gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Deputy Police Chief Steve Hebbe said.

It’s not yet clear who shot him, the deputy chief said. Police did not identify the officers or the man who was shot.

The incident began at 7:05 p.m. at the intersection of 12th Avenue and Denali Street when an officer pulled over a vehicle with three people inside, police said.

The officer ran computer checks on the driver and the passengers, and discovered that one of the passengers had an outstanding felony arrest warrant, Hebbe said.

The officer called for backup and a second officer arrived at the scene, police said. Both officers approached the vehicle, Hebbe said.

That’s when they saw that the passenger with the warrant had pulled out a gun, Hebbe said.

Both officers drew their weapons, and both fired, the deputy chief said.

“The two officers engaged the subject, striking him at least once,” Hebbe said.

Neither the officers nor the two other people in the vehicle were hurt, police said.

The investigation is in its early stages, said Lt. Anthony Henry, who oversees violent crimes.

The driver and the other passenger were talking with police Sunday night but were not in custody, police said.

Police expect the man who pulled the gun to face new charges once he’s released from the hospital, Hebbe said.

Police say numerous witnesses to the incident have already spoken with investigators, but are asking anyone else with information to call 786-8900.
 

Reach Lisa Demer at ldemer@adn.com or 257-4390.