A knife-wielding Wasilla man who Alaska State Troopers say charged at them and was shot died just before 4 a.m. Friday.
Troopers responded to calls of a disturbance around 8 p.m. Thursday in a residential area between Palmer and Wasilla. Two of three troopers fired their weapons at Joshua Smith, 33, near Megan Way and East Jean Drive. The other trooper attempted to use a stun gun.
He died at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. Friday was Smith's birthday.
No troopers were injured in the encounter. The two who fired their weapons were placed on 72-hour administrative leave, after which their names will be released.
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting. The State Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy.