Homer Alaska - News

An investigation is underway in a trooper-involved shooting near Happy Valley that occurred Sunday evening, according to Megan Peters, information officer for the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday, Alaska State Troopers on the Kenai Peninsula received REDDI, Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately, reports of the erratic driving of a yellow SUV. An Alaska Wildlife Trooper spotted the vehicle northbound near Happy Valley about 6:15 p.m. and attempted to make a traffic stop, however the female driver of the SUV did not stop and continued northbound.

"When the vehicle temporarily stopped, the female driver began shooting," said Peters.

The trooper returned fire and the vehicle then continued northbound, stopping in the middle of the Sterling Highway near mile 147.

Troopers from Soldotna and Anchor Point responded, as well as an officer from the Homer Police Department and members of the Southcentral SERT, Special Emergency Reaction Team.

After approximately a half hour, the driver put her hands outside the vehicle, troopers were able to make contact with her and it was discovered she had an apparent gunshot wound to the torso.

An ambulance from Anchor Point transported the driver to South Peninsula Hospital.

"The female suspect was treated at the hospital in Homer then was transferred to the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage," said Peters. "Troopers have identified her, however, her name and age will not be released as she has not been arrested nor charged with a criminal offense at this time. It is an ongoing investigation."

A firearm and several spent shell casings were located in the SUV.

Photo by Michael Armstrong A worker with ASAP towing moves a yellow SUV involved in a shooting near Mile 147.5 Sterling Highway about 11:30 p.m. Sunday. Alaska State Troopers opened the highway about 11:45 p.m. once the SUV and an Alaska Wildlife Trooper truck were moved. About 200 vehicles waited in both directions for the highway to clear. "I am not a happy camper," said one tourist who had been stuck for four hours.

"Witnesses stated the female suspect was firing the pistol while in her vehicle, endangering some of them," said Peters.

The trooper vehicle appears to have been struck by at least one round fired by the female suspect. Troopers believe the gunshot to the female suspect was from the trooper who returned fire on the suspect.

The trooper involved in the shooting has been placed on a 72-hour administrative leave. The name of the trooper will be released at the end of the leave, in accordance with AST policy.

The Sterling Highway was closed near mile 147 to traffic from both directions for several hours on Sunday as a result of the incident. It reopened at approximately 1 a.m. Monday.

Investigators from the Alaska Bureau of Investigation are continuing their investigation of the incident.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.