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Bat-Wielding Suspect Killed by Troopers; Glenn Highway Clogged Friday (UPDATED)Taser was used, but was not effectiveUPDATED Monday 9:45 a.m. ALASKA - It was 4 a.m. Friday morning when troopers tried to stop 29-year-old Justin Abrahamson, who failed to signal before turning southbound on the Parks Highway. That's when troopers deployed a spike strip – but the car kept going until it burst in to flames near the Thunderbird Falls exit. As the driver attempted to run away troopers say they tried to subdue him using a Taser. “At this point it’s really too early on to speculate the success or failure, or what the cause of that was, but we did attempt a number of different mechanisms,“ said Colonel Keith Mallard of the troopers. They say the man then started running toward officers with a bat, and that's when a state trooper, now identified as Sergeant Paul Anthony "Tony" Wegrzyn, a 9 year veteran of the troopers assigned to the Palmer Post, shot and killed Abrahamson. The incident shut down traffic on the Glenn Highway for hours during the morning commute between Anchorage and Wasilla This incident has brought into question how effective Tasers really are. “We have good policies in places, options in place, take every step possible to apprehend a suspect,” said Mallard. Anchorage police say the effectiveness really depends on the situation. “The Taser was designed to deal with uncooperative and hostile subjects, so the police make contact with someone ask them do something, a command, we want to place them under a arrest,” said Sergeant Sean Case of the Anchorage Police Department. Sergeant Case says in cases where a suspect is running away, a Taser can sometimes escalate the situation. “You have a limitation, it's a short range tool. It’s not something that you can reach out with someone at a hundred yards, so there's a distance that comes into affect.” He says although Tasers may seem like the best form of defense, they are not always ideal. The Alaska Bureau of investigation is asking anyone who witnessed the pursuit or the incident to call 907-269-5450. It was a frustrating morning for thousands of commuters and vacationers using the Glenn and Parks Highways. The 8-hour traffic diversion operation created hours of delay in both directions. All lanes inbound and out were closed for 2 hours after the trooper shooting at 4:20 a.m.. By 6:30 a.m., Anchorage police were leading vehicles around the crime scene on the shoulder of the road. As peak rush hour hit, traffic backed up to Wasilla and for more than a mile outbound from the Peters Creek exit as unsuspecting drivers continued to make their way up the highway from Anchorage. "It’s our annual pilgrimage to Valdez to go silver and halibut fishing…so not a good way to start the trip, that's for sure,” said Curt Snyder, who hadn't moved for two hours. All traffic northbound was stopped at one point, as Anchorage police set up southbound lanes to take all traffic. At 12:30 p.m. all lanes were opened but it took hours to clear the backlog.
Photo courtesy Stacey Kolstad. |
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Serious Alaskan said on Wednesday, Aug 8 at 6:05 AM
So that makes it what 10 for APD and @ for AST Stop the Killing and all of us can feel safer and if I forget to use my turn signal or am having a bad day I still live thru the day
98655676Anonymous said on Tuesday, Aug 7 at 4:18 PM
hey rick according to the state of alaska he has been in court 25 times,multiple traffic violations,stalking,dui's and more check it out it is public information
98626205Mary said on Monday, Aug 6 at 10:55 PM
This man was no stranger to the law, had no license to drive, and if the tazer didn't take him down, what will? He's been in these chases before, and knew what the outcome could be. He put himself to death, and I want the troopers to do their job....as they did. If this man had not been let out of jail on parole, he'd be alive today.....blame the parole board and lenient judges.
98581355Rick said on Monday, Aug 6 at 10:04 PM
A man shot dead over a turn signal !!!!!! truly sad.Sounds like a really desperate criminal. How many innocent people are are killed and maimed every year in high speed chases, started by the police over minor bull**** offenses????????
98580075Anonymous said on Monday, Aug 6 at 6:10 PM
@ saddened, yes something could have been done to spare his life,he could have pulled over when the police first turned on thier lights instead of running
98573186Randy said on Monday, Aug 6 at 5:14 PM
These guys are so concerned about there own safety they put everyone they pull over in peril.Maybe a little more time with hand to hand combat training and a little more time in the gym might make sure another citizen doesn't get shot out of fear.
98571026Mike said on Monday, Aug 6 at 12:10 PM
i hate to admit it but if the passport law was implemented long ago we wouldent be having to deal with all thies crazys now and the cops wouldent be so on edge. I belive thatmost of the people that came here in the early 90's did so to get as far away from there crimes as they could and still be able to collect welfair
98557826ADAM said on Monday, Aug 6 at 12:06 PM
IF you Have Never Been Hit In the Head With A REAL Solid Wood Baseball Bat You Can't Understand Excatally How Dangerous it is... Or Just Think of It This Way "Clubs" Were Used for an Exteremly Long Time As Hunting Weapon, That Means we Killed Stuff With Them If they Had Tackled Him As Some Suggest At Least One Would Trooper be in the Hospital In No Less Than Critical Condition
98557631MarkO said on Monday, Aug 6 at 11:00 AM
When police tell you to stop turn around put your hands in the air. Why do you think they say that, for there health. I'm no fool I will comply, if you don't that tells me one thing. You don't respect the law. If that person is drunk and can't stand then they don't need to be shot. If you charge a cop or me when I have my gun because you feel the need to be stupid. Thats on you.
98554065anyway said on Monday, Aug 6 at 10:48 AM
If a 130 lbs guy can defend himself from a 700 lbs grizzly with a can of repellant, it shouldn't be a problem for trained law enforcement professionals to take a person down with a can of this stuff. I know when you get that in your eyes you can't see a thing. It's true the cops deal with this sort of stuff all the time and someone will tell me to become a cop and try doing the job myself, some times we have to handle situations in the bush where there is no cops. I can tell you too that not every dangerous situation out there involving guns and crazy people gets reported. So to all the go do it yourself people that are on this, some in our communities are already doing it and know there are alternate methods to taking down a dangerous person.
98553556Saddened said on Monday, Aug 6 at 6:24 AM
I was deeply saddened when I heard about Justin. He grew up with my son and was at birthday parties, played sports together etc. I know his family well. Could something else have been to spare his life? I wasn't there so I don't know. I do know that officers are trained to protect there safely in situations like this . Not protect the safety of the criminal. While I do feel for the family and they have my sympathy. I am still on the side of the law.
98537515ab said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 7:31 PM
All you people saying its wrong the way theses people are protecting should become a police officer and make that change or let them do thier JOB!!! and you the lawbidding citizens and tax payers be safe.
98454642truth said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 7:22 PM
if troopers had aimed for the leg this man would still be alive and it would have stopped him in his tracks, but in alaska troopers are told SHOOT TO KILL and just make up a story later. So very sad.
98454342William Winslow said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 4:20 PM
lets not say the troopers did every thing right. What happened to the bean bag knock out or bear repelent.
98446542William Winslow said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 4:02 PM
I have read the comments posted. And I respect everyones oppion. We are all too quick to judge what happened on Glenn Highway. We were not there, but this Guy must have scared the pants off our Alaska State Troopers. But killing a Guy armed with a baseball bat gives Me more theory and direction to the training of our protectors. When you run from the Law is it our choice to kill you of the tense engagement,or use common sense and all of you there knowing He dosent have a gun tackle Him and subdue Him. Somebody lost control in other words became a Murderer.
98445606Anonymous said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 3:52 PM
he chose to break the law it was his choice
98445146William Winslow said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 3:39 PM
Alaska State Troopers are you competeing with the City of Anchorage,with the world wide attention and publicty that Troopers from Alaska air on TV,this is a down fall,a degrading situation that is sploiling your reputation.Each Trooper is responsible for hundred's of square miles, and a baseball bat shows the public that State Troopers are not trained or qualified to stop or apprend possible mentally unstable or the desperately confused. We admire your dangerous duties,but was there another solution rather than by killing. In drama and rapid decision making could any proficent and qualified Trooper put a bullet into an unvital area?
98444576TedtheBear said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 2:09 PM
Robin, nice for you to second guess. But while AST is trained in many things, one thing they are also trained to do is not take any chances. Theirs lives are just as important as anyone's else. Why risk injury to themselves trying to subdue a bat-swinging criminal? That don't make sense. Mr. Abrahamson lost his life the moment he charge law enforcement with a baseball bat instead of submitting to a lawfully given order. It was his choice and he died for it.
98440635Robin Scheff said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 12:29 PM
You know, earlier I posted that the troopers had done everything possible to get this man under control and were forced to kill him. I want to take that back. I just visited an old friend, old Alaskan friend, and he straightened me out on this. He said, and I agree, that the troopers should be able to disarm a man with a bat without killing him. They should be trained to do that without using deadly force. He gave me a good example. He said, how about if you're in the military in a war zone on a stealth mission and you come across an enemy with a bat trying to kill you? You take them out without firing a shot, right? You're trained to do that, and so should the troopers be trained to handle this kind of situation without drawing their guns. I agree. I wasn't there but there were more than one trooper there and the guy shot and now dead did not have a gun. He wasn't trying to hurt anyone else, no civilians, and he should NOT have been shot and killed by trained professionals.
98435492Lin said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 11:49 AM
The police are not the problem. He lost his life when he picked up a item to cause damage. Let's hope the ones posting that the police were wrong, never have to make a choice because most would kill him too. Self preservation is very strong. Police not only want to live but they want others in harms way to live also. Do not forget that man had a choice and he made it and died with his choice. I am for the police because most good people never have to deal with the law inforcement and I know that each time they get one more off the streets my family is a little bit safer. Good Job State Troppers!
98433432Anonymous said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 11:10 AM
call Animal Control...dart them...carry them to hospital and when they wake...arrest them...easy... All they are doing is wasting more money now...
98431365wilber said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 11:03 AM
Well ignorance abounds.I see people say they need more teckinal weapons.lets try cops who don't want to kill.they have dart rifles to take down an eliphant. They have nets that can be weapon delopied.they also have slugs that don't penatrate. Come on killing is easy.keeping something alive even if armed with a bat isnt it????? Need we citizens of AK start a run on bats. O M G might need a class three. Almost anything can be a deadly weapon.
98430966Ron said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 10:55 AM
There is no such thing as "shoot to wound". If an officer of the law is forced to draw and fire his weapon, it will be at the center of mass of the offender's body. It is safer for the police and everyone else who might be in the vicinity. Can you really say these officers didn't do EVERYTHING they could to stop this guy short of deadly force? Red lights, spike strip, more red lights, verbal order to drop the weapon, Taser, and finally a sidearm. Since when did it become acceptable to first run from our law enforcement officers, and then to threaten or attack them? It isn't. Good job, Troopers.
98430616Robin Scheff - Mobile Dog Trainer said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 8:29 AM
Well, the troopers tried everything possible at that moment to subdue him and he wasn't going to be subdued. Probably a big guy, tasered and not affected, and a bat is a deadly weapon guys, so even though I've been disappointed lately in the killing of that man in his backyard, this is different. This man ran from the police, wouldn't submit to them, they tried to subdue him but couldn't, tasered him to no avail, and he came at them with a bat, sorry, but this time they had to kill him. If we had more advanced technological weapons that can drop even a big guy, or a guy high on something, it might have turned out differently, but we don't so the police officer took the necessary action to keep this man from hurting him and other fellow officers. People just seem to be acting more crazy these days in Anchorage than I've seen in a long long time. The officers are doing their best to keep us all safe.
98421945David said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 8:02 AM
Not using was not his first mistake it probably started hours before. And I will support our officers to the limit that I will by their ammunition to defend themselves from idiots. Most of the public realise the potential danger the officers put themselves in daily the people that say to shoot to wound don't understand the amount of time he had to make the decision to defend himself and others. There is a reason for shoot to kill it happens to be the same as using the largest area of the body known as center mass. If you think that it is easy try running 50 yards at a full sprint then throw a ball in a bucket at 8 yards. Now you know what that officer is dealing with turn the bucket into a nut with a bat. To those that shoot to wound you would have been beaten to death with the bat.
98420581akrock said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 7:30 AM
One good thing about Alaska, if you are suicidal and want to die the Troopers and APD would be more than happy to assist you, just pick up a stick and wave it at them.
98418796Anonymous said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 6:22 AM
The state troopers who murdered this man are cowards and do not uphold the standards of alaska state troppers. he should be proscuted for murdering this man
98414926bob said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 12:54 AM
non leathal rounds so what if he has a gun with real bullets instead of a bat i know have them carry 2 guns one for sticks and one for people with guns that way the public has a fair chance for their stupidity of thretining an officer
98401986Midgardian said on Saturday, Aug 4 at 12:04 AM
Three words: Non. Lethal. Rounds.
98400875Ahmed Jameson said on Friday, Aug 3 at 11:56 PM
This guy was ready to kill with a bat so he deserved it. He was a menace to society in South central AK aka "Anchorage Metro" Not a week goes by without someone getting show here
98400761Anonymous said on Friday, Aug 3 at 10:43 PM
Honestly this s*#! is now way out of control with our "enforcement" people. Kenai
98398731June said on Friday, Aug 3 at 10:09 PM
This is for Bob.. Of course the popo likes to go home alive but it doesn't mean that the police just go ahead and SHOOT TO KILL. Whatever happen to shoot them in the leg or on the arm..
98397766Tim said on Friday, Aug 3 at 5:27 PM
hopefully he didn't have children!If he did I feel sorry for them and the officer who has to live wth the fact that he had to take a life for the rest of his life!!!!!!!!!
98386191Joy-Lyn said on Friday, Aug 3 at 3:25 PM
Anyone who says 'shoot to wound' has watched way too much crime fantasy tv. Look it up.
98379846dudeabides said on Friday, Aug 3 at 2:50 PM
@stacy learn what? hes dead.
98377556Anonymous said on Friday, Aug 3 at 2:49 PM
Anyone who blames the officers for this has a mental problem!
98377446It's Stacy!! said on Friday, Aug 3 at 2:12 PM
That'll teach him not to use his turn signal ever again!!!!
98375191Concerned said on Friday, Aug 3 at 2:11 PM
Alaska police are getting away aith MURDER!
98375166Bob said on Friday, Aug 3 at 2:11 PM
Imagine the mentality of attacking a police officer with a base ball bat. Does anyone think people like that would hesitate to attack an innocent bystander? Police have a tough job and want to go home alive. You attack the police you deserve the consequences.
98375141Anonymous said on Friday, Aug 3 at 1:54 PM
They used a TASER to try and subdue him, when that fails they have the legal right to protect themselves. Seems most people missed that part of the story.
98374486Anonymous said on Friday, Aug 3 at 1:16 PM
Yes AK State Troopers kill again - That's what happens when drunk people try to assault police officers. If he was doing the right thing, he'd be alive right now. It's his own fault.
98372096Alan said on Friday, Aug 3 at 1:09 PM
To the people wanting police to shoot to wound, or complain about police shooting and killing someone, Maybe you would be so kind as to swap jobs with the officers and take your turn at apprehending these insane criminals. Prove that your ideas are so much better. What's that? You're scared? I thought so.
98371636Tom Elliott said on Friday, Aug 3 at 12:49 PM
These comments are all well and good when made from the security of your computer desk. When in the field you do what you can do. If this guy had not been attacking officers he would not have been killed. Support your local police.
98370266Anonymous said on Friday, Aug 3 at 12:08 PM
why are police just killing everyone?? wound the suspect. plan B should not be kill.
98367566Rich said on Friday, Aug 3 at 11:49 AM
Alaska State Troopers Kill again. When will the Public understand that it is the supposed protectorss that we really need to be on guard against.
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