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Son Says Father Shot by Police Says He Wanted Father to go to API (Updated with officers names)Related Content
UPDATE: The officers involved in the shooting of Harry Smith were Michael Jones and Bryan Heinz, according to APD. Both officers were placed on mandatory 72 hour leave after the shooting took place. ANCHORAGE - The Office of Special Prosecutions is investigating whether the shooting of 59-year-old Harry Smith on Sunday night was justified. Police fired on Smith in his backyard after he pointed a Smith & Wesson M&P .177 caliber airgun at officers. Smith's son, Russell, says he warned police officers that his father had a b-b gun and was suicidal. “He's been struggling ever since the death of my mother two years ago,” said Smith. On Sunday night, Russell Smith called Anchorage police when his father became out of control. “The dispatcher told me that they're here and told me to leave the house at this point if I had known what was going to happen I would never have left the house I would've went on the back porch and I would've protected my father at whatever cost,” said Smith. Smith says he hoped by calling the police that his father would be taken to the Alaska Psychiatric Institute for help. "I went across the street and I explained the situation to the group of SWAT officers that were gathered there I let them know that my father had said that he was going to trick them into shooting him,” said Smith. "I told them about the b-b gun I described the b-b gun to them, I said, he is trying to get you to kill him; please do not kill my father. I need to get him help and to no avail instead of helping my father they went in the backyard and gunned him down." APD says it won't comment on whether officers were told about the b-b gun at the scene until the investigation is complete.
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Anonymous said on Wednesday, Jul 11 at 1:38 PM
AST and APD needs to be put in API...Killers... With a militia they can tap to get "favors" from... Hope the feds crawl up every hole of your agencies! Yeah Sullivan keep hiding with Palin in Hawaii...
96111065Anonymous said on Tuesday, Jul 10 at 8:11 PM
this guy has a history of calling the cops clearly he cant deal with issues himself and prefers to get the authorities involved ... THINK next time before you dial 911 for a NON EMERGENCY dur
96040696Anonymous said on Monday, Jul 9 at 6:52 PM
This was a tragic ending for the family AND the APD officers. Mental illness was the reason behind this, not bad APD officers.
95952042TedtheBear said on Sunday, Jul 8 at 2:39 PM
Is the son trying to tell us that his father wasn't dangerous? Can the cops be sure that what his son is saying is true or not. If the son knew that his father's gun was just a BB gun, what was he doing on the street when he should be been with his dad trying to get him to settled down? This is suicide by a cop scenario. From a distance, that BB gun sure looked like a real gun and if his son is out here instead in there, then situation must have been dangerous. Police officers should not have to risk their lives on second hand information. If reasonable threat was there, you end it. Even as a private citizen, their action would be justified.
95862046Anonymous said on Saturday, Jul 7 at 11:34 AM
ANIMAL CONTROL - KNOCK OUT DART...they can use them on bears to subdue them...they can use them on humans and be safe...better to wake up in jail then never wake up at all...
95788571I agree!!! said on Thursday, Jul 5 at 4:29 PM
Yes that is correct - you need to tell Uncle Sam all about it - he is no mind reader - and get an audit of our local FBI corrupt unit for God's sakes!!! What is with the authorities up here anyways... We do have internet and instant messaging ya know!
95648776Anonymous said on Thursday, Jul 5 at 4:17 PM
a Washington DC federal audit and APD/AST internal investigation needs to take place if the occurrence of incidents are rising and past procedures of police have been violated, ignored or dismissed... just go to the f b i site and file a complaint...
95648226ADN SUX said on Thursday, Jul 5 at 3:46 PM
We need police who are trained to see all people and all lives as precious. We need police who take the job of cop because they want to help people, not because they were in the military and have experience with handling weapons and thus have an advantage in the hiring process. We don't need domestic soldiers as police. We need people who think like firefighters doctors and care givers.
95643785adn SUX said on Thursday, Jul 5 at 3:45 PM
this is what is wrong with our police in America. They are trained and encouraged not to be selfless public servants, but to see themselves as soldiers in a war on crime. Everything in public policy works towards this end: the provision of billions of dollars worth of deadly military equipment to police departments, the glorification of cops who shoot and kill perps, the caving in to police unions by politicians who fail to establish serious civilian review boards empowered to monitor police violence, the unwillingness of prosecutors and courts to punish cops who do use excessive violence, and of course the media glorification of police brutality and police violence, both in the news and in Hollywood. Instead of urban commandos, we need in America police who see their job as saving lives, including the lives of those who are mentally unbalanced. We need police who are trained to see all people and all lives as precious. We need police who take the job of cop because they want to hel
95643746Mike J said on Thursday, Jul 5 at 10:12 AM
Thanks to Officer Jones and Heinz for doing their job. They did exactly the same thing that Joe Citizen would have done if the suspect had pointed the gun at them or their family. And TV news stations reporting that the 911 tapes have been reviewed, and nothing found about the son mentioning a BB Gun. Doesn't matter as Mr Smith's gun marked to looked exactly like real gun, so treated as real gun. Simple gun and range safety, all weapons are considered 'hot' until placed on safe and grounded.
95593001jerod said on Thursday, Jul 5 at 9:32 AM
First off we don't know the whole situation. This could be a "suicide by cop". They more than likely told him to put the gun down and didn't do what they said or turned the gun on them, what are they supposed to do pray that they were told the truth and it was a bb gun or react as anyone would in a situation where a gun was turned on them. Anonymous, if someone is breaking in your house or threatening you with bodily harm in your house you have the right to protect you, your family, your property, its the law. Inopmind, this was reported by ADN. Police used both "less lethal force" in the form of 40mm projectiles commonly used by riot police, Parker said You know this wouldn't be such a big deal if was a drug dealer or rapist or some other criminal type getting shot by a cop, both situation while tragic show that our cops aren't going to back down when threatened.
95590156ME said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 10:13 PM
I pulled the number 1 and 9 off all my phones so I would not get shot for no reason. Safe with the "criminals" well at least a fairer chance.
95482976Palmer AK said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 9:02 PM
Our Law Enforcement is trained like our Military so some say... Have you seen the news of Military Kids being arrested and prosecuted for firing on unarmed civilians in a wartime situation? But police are not reprimanded for shooting a man wielding a stick or someone who they were told had a BB gun and mental health problems. It is just awful that tax payers and citizens have to be afraid of the people that are supposed to "Serve and Protect"
95481152Li said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 6:51 PM
As a person with a major mental illness, who has been taken to API a few times over the decades, and also as someone with a degree in Psychology, I can say without a doubt APD is poorly trained to deal with mentally ill people. Many of them are honest guys trying to do a days work, but too many are drunk on their badge. I've never fought against a cop but several times I've been handled with excessive force, including when handcuffed. Quite a few drunks over the years have had a similar problem. Anybody who is interested can just ask questions around town and they will hear stories.
95476115Realist said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 6:20 PM
WOW you people really have a bad outlook on the Police Departments. I will guarantee that teh posters here are the first to call when there is a hint of trouble, and they are just venting due to a ticket they recieved while breakin the law and are angry because they were cought. They have no idea the pressures that these men and women go through and the tolerances that they have to have to put up with the People whom believe they are better than the law. Suck it up People and follow the laws and do the right thing and then there would be little need for the Great men and women of the Police department.....
95474822Job said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 6:08 PM
I was walking though a job fair a few years back and the cops at the APD booth yelled out to me if I wanted to be a cop. I replied "I don't think it would work out, I have too much integrity." Still feel the same way today.
95474286Authority said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 5:15 PM
They only reason "cop haters" call 911, is to have someone that is in authority to go and make a report and use good judgement to settle matters. Cops used to be called "peace officers" to make peace, or bring peace to violent situations. There are both good and bad cops, and hopefully to bring peace in a situation and not violence, that should be the last resort. BUT, since they are the only ones appointed to write a report and bring justice, they are the only ones to call other than the state troopers, so dumb....
95472532gen lee said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 3:04 PM
never trust a cop. it is not hating cops but lovinf your own life,it is self preservation.
95466146Vet said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 12:55 PM
Militarized Police, trained to kill, and all volunteers. Their day with justice will come, not by me but from One mightier than the sword!
95459896Joe said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 12:11 PM
People sure hate Cops, I belive most people commenting here have never had to take the life of someone else. It is not a fun thing no matter how justified you are. Police do not kill for fun they do it out of fear of there or someones elses life being in danger. The kid said he told them it was a BB gun but it looks real, what were they supose to do get shot if the kid was wrong.(no they have Family too)Have these Cop hatters go to a call and see what they would do.
95457451Laughing said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 11:40 AM
Yep. And all the cop haters on here are the first to call 911 when you are in trouble. Morons.
95456006mudpuppie said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 10:46 AM
If I were a cop, I would shoot to kill too. You can't always believe a relative when they give you "info" and a gun pointing at you that looks just like a real one...I would shoot and so would most Alaskans...for far less, you people are just haters.
95453086Sad said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 10:41 AM
Don't call the cops for anything. less you want some one KILL dam PIGS.
95452846inopmind said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 10:41 AM
The APD and AST are given a liscense to kill in Alaska by the badge they wear. No longer do they take the time to assess the situation and determine if there is immediate danger they just act. They have state of the art tools to protect themselves as well as non ballist bullets, bean bags and other non lethal weapons at their disposal but yet time and time again they go in guns blazing. When will it stop? Enough is enough.
95452786Mad said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 10:35 AM
The cops gunned down aother man COPS are nothing but killers. woe to the COPS PIGS
95452416Stop the police said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 10:23 AM
justified Hah the PIGS kill all the time.and do nothing but LIE!!
95451766ice said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 10:16 AM
That's what Cops are just KILLERS
95451432Anonymous said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 7:24 AM
well either way we know the cops were warned in ADVANCE to subdue the subject but not kill him... So all that tells me is if someone walks in my house and threatens me I will kill the MF...and then get arrested...revolving door of criminal justice...
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