Officer Cleared in Deadly Force Investigation

Shane Tasi, 26, was killed during a domestic disturbance call June 9.

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By Kirsten Swann
By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: Jun 27, 2012 at 10:28 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 27, 2012 at 5:54 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - The family of Shane Tasi, the 26-year-old man killed by a police officer earlier this month, wore dark shirts reading "We want justice" at the Anchorage Police Department headquarters Wednesday afternoon.

A state investigation into the shooting revealed Officer Boaz Gionson, 26, was justified in his actions, and APD Chief Mark Mew revealed the details of the investigation in an press conference at the department's headquarters Wednesday.

According to APD, dispatch received a total of three phone calls the night of the shooting about a disturbance in the area, the first call came in at around 9:25 P.M.

Surveillance video taken by surrounding buildings show Tasi shirtless as he walked quickly out of his apartment building waving what police said was a broken, 36-inch, broomstick at Officer Gionson before he was shot and killed.

Before the shooting happened, APD Chief Mark Mew said Tasi was intoxicated in a vehicle with his wife, who kicked him out of the vehicle and made him walk home.

Mew said while he was walking home, he yelled at cars and attacked a dog.

After arriving at his home witnesses heard a disturbance inside his appartment and called 911 for help.

Police photos, released Wednesday, show a couch and a fridge knocked over.

Gionson had been placed on administrative leave after killing Tasi, the evening of June 9 in a walkway on the 700 block of North Bunn Street. He was the first officer to arrive on the scene of a domestic disturbance call, and Tasi had allegedly approached him aggresively, carrying what witnesses described as a large stick and refusing three direct commands to stop his advance. He was just seven feet away when Gionson fired.

His expecting wife was in the apartment, bathing her children, when the shooting took place.

A video of the incident played for reporters during the press conference showed a shirtless Tasi waving a stick at Gionson, and Mew said he believes Tasi had more than just alcohol in his system. The department is still waiting on full lab reports.

The shooting caused the community to question the use of deadly force by the department and was investigated by the State Office of Special Prosecutions. Read the full 911 call transcript here.

This is a developing story.

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Dan said on Wednesday, Jun 27 at 12:12 PM

This is really sad. Should have backed away untill helped arrived. Using this type of force is beyound killing someone.Some police forces r using there position as "Don't mess with the law attitude or else"!!!

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Not Dan said on Wednesday, Jun 27 at 12:19 PM

Dan you should wait until the full details come out before you make assumptions about what he should or should not have done. You weren't there yet you seem to know how it should have been handled.

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Anonymous said on Wednesday, Jun 27 at 12:30 PM

" don't mess with the law attitude or else" that is violation of ethics and laws Dan...but it sounds to me like someone got away with something for too long...and will as long as you let them...AST is notorious for being Natzi's in " selected justice" but that will change as well... We got crew coming in from war that need to replace these guys and clean up the backyard...

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Not Dan, Not Dan said on Wednesday, Jun 27 at 12:52 PM

Shut yer piehole idiot. It's not assuming anything when stating facts that are already readily available to the public. Hhhmm? stick Vs Gun..what more is there to assume you knucklehead.

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Shawn Klemmer jr. said on Wednesday, Jun 27 at 2:08 PM

Once again the police get away with murder ! Now they can kill you if your just caring a stick. Cowards.

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Mike J said on Wednesday, Jun 27 at 2:08 PM

Similar situation in Upstate NY where officer decided not to shoot. Suspect stabbed officer in arms and vest with 'little' knife, began to attack 2nd officer. Things not always as cut and dried as some folks seem to think.

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Anonymous said on Wednesday, Jun 27 at 2:20 PM

and what would happen if you threw a fish net on them? roll em up and transport them to jail...let intake deal with getting them out of the net...

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Scared said on Wednesday, Jun 27 at 5:00 PM

Great now hikers with hiking sticks old people with canes, and someone with a toothpick after a meal are all now free targets for the great and honest APD. I feel safe. And how come we can't see the video? They can edit out the murder part.

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Joe said on Wednesday, Jun 27 at 5:45 PM

One of the most dangerous things an officer can do is respond to a domestic violence call. This was not like some old man with a cane or a hiker. This man was intentionally approaching the officer to do harm. He was an large adult male that was told to stop repeatedly, and had been beating on family members. Not like someone going hiking on a trail. Not a big fan of APD, but don't think this guy was innocent by any means. There are consequences for actions.

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Unless said on Wednesday, Jun 27 at 7:22 PM

"There are consequences for actions." Unless you are another APD criminal, then free pass.

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Yes said on Wednesday, Jun 27 at 11:05 PM

One would have to be pretty stupid and blind not to know APD was corrupt, thieves, lazy, selective in how they "enforce" the law. KTVA should do a study and real reporting on APD. Filled with pedos, sexist, thieves and the most lazy in the community.

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questionable said on Thursday, Jun 28 at 10:27 AM

so now just because you have a badge you are licensed to kill.......no matter if you are a police officer, judge, lawayer or just a homeless man on the street you should be punished for taking a life of another ......but in this world they just get "CLEARED"

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maumavae said on Tuesday, Jul 3 at 3:17 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!!!

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maumavae said on Tuesday, Jul 3 at 3:24 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!!!

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