Crime & Justice

Troopers shoot, wound man in Fairbanks traffic stop

A man who Alaska State Troopers say was armed and driving a stolen vehicle was shot and seriously injured by troopers during a Tuesday morning traffic stop in Fairbanks.

Troopers said the man was stopped just after 9:30 a.m. near the Davis Road ballfields, after troopers identified the vehicle as one reported stolen earlier that morning.

"The male suspect was in possession of a firearm," troopers reported.

About 40 minutes later, the stop ended in gunfire.

"Troopers attempted to negotiate with the suspect in hopes that he would peacefully surrender," troopers said. "Troopers also utilized less-lethal force without success. The incident resulted in multiple troopers firing their service weapon at the man."

Medics took the man, who wasn't immediately identified Tuesday, to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for treatment of what troopers described as "potentially life-threatening injuries."

Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters didn't immediately have additional details Tuesday about how many troopers opened fire or how many rounds were fired.

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"It's under investigation," Peters said.

Peters said Tuesday afternoon that Anchorage-based Alaska Bureau of Investigation staff will be investigating the shooting. The identities of the troopers involved are being withheld for 72 hours, in accordance with policy for trooper-involved shootings.

Chris Klint

Chris Klint is a former ADN reporter who covered breaking news.

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