Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation: Near 500-block N. Park Street

Update on 10/3/24:

The officer who discharged his weapon last Sunday evening has been identified as Sergeant James Dokken.  He was hired in November 2007.

Update on 10/2/24:

The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old James V. Afuvai.  Next-of-kin notification procedures have been completed.

Update at 11:30 PM on 9/29/24:

At 7:12 PM on Sept. 29, 2024, Anchorage Police Department (APD) Swing Shift officers were dispatched to the 500-block of N. Park Street after a male adult contacted 9-1-1 stating there had been an emergency and that someone was hurt.

One officer arrived near the scene and was waiting for backup. Additional officers were enroute along with Mobile Intervention Team (MIT) when an adult male suspect holding a knife began to approach the officer.

The officer backed away and directed the suspect to drop his weapon. However, the suspect continued to move toward the officer with the knife, eventually running at the officer. The officer discharged their weapon striking the suspect in the upper body at least once.

No officers or any other civilians were injured in this incident.

This shooting was captured on body worn camera and patrol dash cameras.

The Crime Scene Team has responded to process the site.

Anchorage Police performed life-saving measures on the suspect until Anchorage Fire Department (AFD) medics took over. AFD medics transported the suspect to a local hospital where he was ultimately declared deceased.

Per policy, the state’s Office of Special Prosecutions (OSP) will review the officers’ use of force and determine whether it was justified. Once that has been completed, APD Internal Affairs will review the officers’ actions to confirm whether there was any violation of policy. As per APD practice the officers will be placed on four days of administrative leave. His/her names will be released publicly 72-hours after the incident.

Once OSP has completed their investigation, their findings will be available for the public to review.

There will be a press conference regarding this incident at 12:00 AM on Sept. 30, 2024, at APD Headquarters. The press conference will be live streamed on APD’s Facebook page.

Original on 9/29/24:

Anchorage Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting at the 500-block of N. Park Street. No officers were injured in the shooting. An adult male suspect was transported to a local hospital where he was ultimately declared deceased.

There is a large police presence in the area of N. Park Street and Thompson Avenue.

Additional details will be forthcoming.

APD Case: 24-30323