Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Anchorage Identified

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Family members have identified the man who was fatally shot by Anchorage police on Monday night as 42-year-old Utuva Alaelua. The incident occurred after officers stopped Alaelua for a broken headlight near the 300 block of Bragaw Street in Mountain View.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Anchorage Police Department (APD) Chief Sean Case detailed that when officers approached the vehicle, they noticed a gun in Alaelua’s lap. Following verbal commands, an officer positioned on the passenger side fatally shot the driver. Chief Case could not confirm if Alaelua reached for the firearm prior to the shooting but indicated that a verbal exchange took place.

Family members revealed that Utuva Alaelua’s brother, Puipuia Lipoi Alaelua, also faced a fatal confrontation with police in February. He was killed after allegedly holding five people hostage during a standoff at an Anchorage hotel and subsequently firing at officers.

The Office of Special Prosecutions has cleared the officers involved in Alaelua’s shooting. They indicated that the vehicle was known for evading police earlier and mentioned that Alaelua brandished a firearm during the previous incident involving his brother.

APD is scheduled to provide further details regarding the officer-involved shooting at a press conference set for May 21.

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