ANCHORAGE - 59-year-old Harry Smith was shot and killed Sunday night after police say he pointed a handgun at officers at his South Anchorage home.
Police were responding to a call claiming an intoxicated man was threatening to kill other people in the home on Noble Circle and then kill himself.
"Some of the officers had to protect the people in the house to make sure the despondent male who was in the backyard did not come back into the house,” said APD spokesperson Lieutenant Dave Parker.
Smith told police dispatch he was going outside with a gun and was going to "take care of everything."
Officers encountered him in his backyard, where he pointed a Smith and Wesson airgun, which resembles a Smith and Wesson pistol, at the police and two officers fired on him.
"He confronted the officers they believe their lives were in peril,” said Parker.
Neighbors say they have seen police at Smith’s house at least three times in the past week.
Lieutenant Parker confirms police have responded to multiple calls from the residence.
Neighbor Tara Coleman said Smith’s wife died a couple of years ago.
"I'd actually just moved into my grandmothers house [on the same street], who passed away early this year, and [Smith] followed me to the store to tell me how sorry he was and how he had lost his wife” said Coleman.
"I wish that he would’ve been able to have someone to talk to that could help him figure it all out,” she said.
Lieutenant Parker said police receive a lot of calls from people threatening suicide.
"Often, multiple times, every day, and they turn out okay. This one was one of those that didn't turn out well,” said Parker.
The Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals and the APD Homicide Unit are investigating the shooting.
The names of the officers will not be released until 72 hours after the shooting, per policy.
