Driver dead after exchanging gunfire with troopers, Fairbanks police

Alaska State Troopers and Fairbanks Police exchanged fire with two men following a vehicle chase on the city’s south side this Wednesday morning. A driver was killed and a passenger injured.

Alaska State Trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters says the incident started at about 9 a.m. with the attempted pullover of a vehicle for a basic traffic violation at the intersection of South Cushman Street, the Mitchell Expressway and the Richardson Highway.

“The stop was for failure to use a turn signal,” Peters said. “The vehicle immediately began eluding troopers. And a few minutes into the pursuit, shots were fired towards troopers from the vehicle from both the driver and the single passenger. More troopers and Fairbanks PD were advised of the situation and attempts to stop the vehicle using tire deflation devices failed. The vehicle finally came to a stop at Dennis Road and Bradway Road. Shots were exchanged between law enforcement and the suspect. The active situation was over at 9:38.”

Peters says no law enforcement officers were injured in the incident, but would not provide any additional information. The situation prompted the Fairbanks school district to initiate a lockdown, but the situation was resolved before it was implemented at all sites. The shooting follows a similar incident in south Fairbanks yesterday, in which an armed man in a vehicle was shot by Alaska State Troopers. Only cursory information is available in that case as well.

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