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Man Killed By Police in South Anchorage (UPDATED)Related Content
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.
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SnowStar99577 said on Thursday, Aug 16 at 2:52 PM
I knew this man... Such a wonderful and sweet guy. Wouldn't ordinarily think to hurt a fly. I am saddened to hear of his death. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
99296726Anonymous said on Monday, Jul 9 at 7:31 PM
Come on you cop haters. Lets point a gun at you and see how long you would hesitate protecting yourself while you ponder the possibilities about the seriousness of the other person's intent.
95954296TheNiece said on Tuesday, Jul 3 at 7:05 PM
All of you insensitive idiots spewing your "good riddance" garbage need to shut up. This was a good, sweet man. He was my uncle. I'm sorry, but I hope you experience a tragedy like this. Easier for you to spew out your insensitive trash about people you don't even know than to have some human compassion. And, yes, there was MUCH MUCH more the police department could have and should have done. He was in his OWN backyard, on his OWN property with a BROKEN BB gun! You're the animals.
95410895JJ said on Tuesday, Jul 3 at 9:42 AM
Polynesian or not, they were shot because they deserve to be shot. If you act like an animal, you should be shot like one. If you are dumb enough to go after a police officer knowing he has a gun, you obviously would not think twice about going after an unarmed citizen to take advantage of them. Good riddance.
95372666maumavae said on Tuesday, Jul 3 at 3:39 AM
ATTENTION: All residents of Anchorage, Alaska. Please come out and support the Polynesian Community rally held this Saturday, July 7th, 2012. This rally is in response to the unjust treatment of many of our Polynesian brothers like Shane Tasi and other minorities by law enforcement due to their "intimidating" presence and racial profiling. We are demanding that better police protocols be implemented immediately on shooting to disarm versus shooting to kill. The Polynesian Community will not remain silent on this issue. Instead, we will stand together as ONE people, ONE voice, ONE cause! PLEASE CHECK OUT FACEBOOK.COM/POLYNESIANCOMMUNITYCENTER FOR MY INFO, HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!
95346345Roman said on Monday, Jul 2 at 10:06 PM
Tha planet ain't short on humans.
95335876dgdg said on Monday, Jul 2 at 9:45 PM
shoot first ask questions later, very profesional.
95335312Comrade said on Monday, Jul 2 at 9:23 PM
In Russian they call them "Mycop"
95334351Celia Harrison said on Monday, Jul 2 at 8:28 PM
The man's son told the police he had a BB gun and would try to get them to shoot him. He called them to help get his father to API. Why was he not taken there earlier in the week to be evaluated? Did anyone even try to talk to him? Why did several of them go into the yard with guns like they did? Here is how you keep him out of the house, lock the door and place a cop there. Do they not have a megaphone or the ability to call a cell phone either? Do they even have a psychologist on contract to help with a situation like this?
95332186Good Aim said on Monday, Jul 2 at 8:18 PM
So happy this guy is finally gone for good, saves Anchorage some money and he's a menace to society. Not a month goes by with no one getting shot in South Central AK or Los Anchorage.
95331756cooljulie said on Monday, Jul 2 at 8:17 PM
If you rob a bank with a hold up note, it is a far lesser charge 9robbery) than if you have a weapon, or even CLAIM to have a weapon. If you point a gun, real or fake, deadly or pellet (which can be deadly), you get charged with armed robbery. Cops don't have time, or stupidity enough, to ask "sir is that a real gun or a toy?" You point a gun at a cop you're going to get shot. As the kids say- DUH!
95331716Mike J said on Monday, Jul 2 at 7:34 PM
Getting tired of reading headlines about how Police shoot man that has BB gun. Looked just like my 9mm, he treated it like a real gun and for all intensive purposes was a real gun right up until he dropped it and it was found tp be the BB gun.
95329845tim said on Monday, Jul 2 at 4:45 PM
If people didn't do such stupid things like, I don't know say, point a gun at a cop! It doesn't matter if it's real or not. Anyone with the will to live would have shot him. Idiots, all of you! you morons need to stop reading the doom and gloom news, the police are not out to get you, I hope the next time you need one he/she is too busy to help you because they are dealing with an idiot wielding a squirt gun. They are doing what you paid them to do protect innocent people.
95320176jyd said on Monday, Jul 2 at 3:31 PM
and they wounder why they lose respect
95315466Midgardian said on Monday, Jul 2 at 3:07 PM
I thought all air rifles and pistols were supposed to have orange tips on the barrels now, so that things like this don't happen.
95313395Jon said on Monday, Jul 2 at 2:51 PM
So now one man with a stick shot dead and one poor man in mental distress with a BB gun shot dead.
95311775Anonymous said on Monday, Jul 2 at 10:50 AM
call animal control already - knock out darts...
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