Swat Investigation 400-block North Lane Street

Update 05/13/23:
On May 12, 2023, at 04:22PM Anchorage Police officers with Swing Shift Patrol, SWAT, the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), and medics and firefighters with the Anchorage Fire Department responded to the 400 block of North Lane Street for an adult male who barricaded himself inside a residence after officers attempted to make contact with him for an initial report of a physical altercation that he was involved in.

The suspect, 27-year old Eyob Imlach, ignored officers commands and a SWAT callout was initiated. When SWAT and the CNT team arrived, Imlach was still barricaded inside the residence, which was now on fire. Imlach exited the residence and hid in a backyard shed while the firefighters fought the fire and officers evacuated nearby residents as the fire grew. Eventually, Imlach exited the shed in the backyard, reentered the residence, and then exited the front of the residence where he then attempted to briefly run from officers before eventually being taken into custody.

Imlach was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries before being transported to the Anchorage Jail where was remanded for Arson 1, Assault 2, Assault 3, Resisting Arrest, Misconduct Involving a Weapon 3 and Violating Conditions of Release.

The roads were reopened around 2:00am after the scene was processed and crews with AFD conducted their investigation.

Update at 07:00pm:

One suspect has been taken into custody.

SWAT will be clearing from the area shortly but police will remain on scene while the residence is processed.

Mt View and Lane Street remain closed.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Original:

Anchorage Police Officers with SWAT and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) have responded to the 400-block of North Lane for an on-going investigation involving a barricaded person inside of a residence.

Please follow officers’ instructions if you are in the area to include evacuation of your home if necessary. If you do not need to be in the vicinity, avoid it and seek alternative routes until further notice. There are currently no roads closed.

Depending on the actions of the suspect and/or suspects, our response may include using a variety of tools, the drone, and tactics to apprehend them. This could involve the deploying of chemical agents; nearby citizens with respiratory illnesses/sensitivities should remain inside and make sure doors and windows are closed.

We ask both the public and the media to refrain from posting/publishing photos and/or video of the scene until the situation is over. Showing tactical positions and movements in these types of situations can put the public and officers’ safety at risk.

We appreciate the community's cooperation and understanding during our response. We will keep you informed of any new developments.

APD Case 23-15413