Politics

Witnesses, APD confirm Palin family was present at Anchorage party that turned violent

Police are investigating a brawl that took place in South Anchorage over the weekend involving around 20 people. A witness said it happened during a joint birthday party thrown in part for Todd Palin.

The Anchorage Police Department said a "verbal and physical altercation" took place late Saturday night between multiple people outside a South Anchorage home in the 900 block of Harbor Circle, in the Oceanview neighborhood.

Roughly 20 people were involved in the fight, said police spokesperson Jennifer Castro.

"A preliminary investigation by police revealed that a party had been taking place at a nearby residence and a fight had broken out between multiple subjects outside of the residence," Castro wrote. "None of the involved parties wanted to press charges at the time of the incident and no arrests were made at the scene. Alcohol was believed to have been a factor in the incident. Some of the Palin family members were in attendance at the party."

Castro would not provide a written police report of the incident from officers, saying the case is still open.

"We are still reviewing the case, along with our municipal attorney's office to determine whether any charges will be filed," Castro wrote in an email.

Blogger Amanda Coyne reported Wednesday that the Palins were at the center of the fight. Coyne cites anonymous sources who described a shirtless Track Palin, Bristol Palin throwing punches and former Gov. Sarah Palin screaming during the melee. The reports have been widely re-circulated on national sites, including Wonkette and Gawker.

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Neighbor Charles Fryer attended the party, which he described as a joint birthday party for four people, including Todd Palin. He said Sarah Palin was at the party.

Fryer said the party was "basically peaceable" until the fight occurred around 11 p.m. He heard commotion in front of the house and stepped outside to check it out.

He described the fight as a dog pile "just like you see in a football game."

Fryer didn't know who was involved. "I'm too old to fool with that stuff," he said.

On her Facebook page, Sarah Palin posted that she was traveling on Saturday.

One commenter, Kimberley Vranckaert-Trujillo, claimed to be a witness to the incident, writing in the post thread: "Interesting. ... pretty sure you were not traveling and you and family were on the Southside causing chaos. Saw it happen. Don't fib." The comment has since been removed.

The Palin family could not be reached for comment.

This is the second time the Palins have hit the news this week. On Sunday, a 25-year-old man was arrested on felony stalking charges after showing up in Bristol Palin's Wasilla driveway.

Laurel Andrews

Laurel Andrews was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch News and Alaska Dispatch. She left the ADN in October 2018.

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