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Second Investigation Ongoing in Officer Involved ShootingThe first of two investigations into Gionson's use of deadly force is now over.Related Content
ANCHORAGE - Not at fault: The state Office of Special Prosecutions cleared Anchorage Police Officer Boaz Gionson, 26, in the Mountain View shooting of Shane Tasi earlier this month. The first of two investigations into Gionson's use of deadly force is now over. Anchorage police said there's been a lot of misinformation about the case, and subsequently released surveillance footage of the incident taken from surrounding buildings. It has been edited by the Anchorage Police Department and includes audio from a 911 call. It all started at 9:25 PM Saturday night, June 9. Police said it began when an intoxicated Tasi, 26, was driving with his wife Jean in the Mountain View area. Police said Tasi fell out of the vehicle and Jean drove home, so Tasi had to walk back. That's when dispatchers got two calls that Tasi was involved in two confrontations: one with vehicles and the other an attack on someone's dog. Officers were dispatched to the area when the third 911 call came in. Police said photo evidence showed exactly what was going on inside the Tasi home that night. They said an overturned fridge and couch were just some of the signs of a disturbance, and the surveillance footage released Wednesday shows the 911 caller running toward Tasi's apartment while the dispatcher tells him and others to go home because officers are on their way. The men flagged down Gionson, the first officer to arrive on the scene. As Gionson spoke with residents, Tasi came out of the apartment building swinging what police said was a 39-inch broken broom handle. Police said Gionson told Tasi to stop approaching three times. But, they said, Tasi refused. That's when Gionson opened fire and shot three times. “From the time Mr. Tasi exits the door to the time this first shot is fired is six seconds from start to finish,” said APD Chief Mark Mew. “The officer let him get within the striking distance before he fired.” Phillip Weidner, who is representing the Tasi family, said it was an inappropriate use of deadly force that destroyed a family. “She (Jean) was changing her baby and she heard the shots and she went outside and saw her husband dying, and tried to go to him and they would not let her go to him,” Weidner said. “They are horrified that their husband and father was shot down in front of his own apartment.” Gionson has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Office of Special Prosecutions, but still needs to be cleared by the police department itself. Meanwhile, Tasi's family wants to see the raw, unedited footage and is considering a lawsuit against the municipality. “I think the community should focus on the officer's actions, the actions of Mr. Tasi, and let the video speak for itself,” said APD union president Derek Hsieh. Police said Tasi was only seven feet away from Gionson when he was shot: They say Gionson had four seconds to react when he realized Tasi was a threat. Police are also waiting for toxicology results to determine whether Tasi was drunk or high. CBS 11 News has also requested the raw, unedited footage of what happened that night. |
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Amazed said on Thursday, Jun 28 at 11:58 AM
Excessive force. Period. A broom stick? Police are trained better than that. Why shoot to kill? And Three times at striking distance? Granted I have not seen the video and was not there. But based on the report. Cleared? And edited by the police department? The wrong message is being sent here. Dont think his weapon should have ever left its holster. Ive been in much more potentially harmful situations with bears and not even reached for my gun. Not surprised, but not convinced by the outcome of the investigation. Something like this makes the whole police department look bad so they are going to do whatever they can to spin a favorable public outcome. Unfortunate. This is what happens when a group, organization, or dept. is in charge of its own investigation. Needs to be an external investigation. This should be standard in all cases like this. Meaning unaffiliated. Not a sub branch of the dept.
94861681Dr.Moreno said on Thursday, Jun 28 at 12:30 PM
Once again Internal Affairs protects their own.What a shame.
94864596Duwayne LeDoux said on Thursday, Jun 28 at 12:53 PM
please investigate themselves..give me a fricken break will ya..this is a orginazition thats been found guilty countless times for excessive force..murder..and the list goes on and on..what a joke
94866796cooljulie said on Thursday, Jun 28 at 1:11 PM
APD owes it to both the family and the entire community to release ALL footage, unedited, so we can see for ourselves what really happened. To do any less points a finger of guilt at the officer and gives the appearance that he is being protected. To 'Amazed'- police are trained to shoot to kill, period. Once the gun is drawn, they intend to shoot if needed, and if they shoot, it is only to kill. I don't see why the number of shots (3) is a question. If you are shooting to kill you shoot until the target goes down and is dead. It seems this really hinges on an officer acting alone. Had there been multiple officers on the scene at once, they may have simply tried to physically restrain Tasi. That said, most of us remember 'Angel Dust' (PCP) which gives users superhuman strength. Many under the influence of that drug have been killed by police because they could not be restrained or controlled by even several officers. We need the APD to come forward with ALL of the information.
94868186Shocked said on Thursday, Jun 28 at 1:23 PM
Really, he is carrying a weapon and keeps approaching the cop who orders him to drop the weapon several times and gets "within striking distance" before the officer shots. Maybe the officer should have handed over his gun to Tasi, or maybe the officer should have runaway and the wutnessses fend for themselves. Maybe the cops shouldn't even go when people call them
94869156Stunned said on Thursday, Jun 28 at 1:43 PM
I wasn't there, but based on what I've seen and read, deadly force was not called for yet. I think Gionson was soiling his shorts.
94870965Mike said on Thursday, Jun 28 at 2:13 PM
First off the officer was cleared by state Office of Special Prosecutions and is still under investigation by APD. Also, Police Officers are not trained to "shoot to kill", they are traind to shoot center mass of a target.
94873375Shawn K said on Thursday, Jun 28 at 2:42 PM
This police department is getting out of hand. Kill for carrying a broom handle? Really cowardice on the police side. Kill first, then get a investigation on it's self, B.S. Just more corruption in this city's way of doing business as usual. What a shame !
94875936Shawn K is not in touch with reality said on Thursday, Jun 28 at 8:32 PM
So Shawn, next time a drug crazed person wielding a weapon comes at you feel free to get beat to death and then and only then can you comment on what was appropriate reaction. You weren't there so how can you monday morning quarter back the shooting. If you come at the cops with a weapon in your hand you are can expect to be shot, plain and simple. If Tosi had drop the weapon and complied he would still be alive.
94904172Robo said on Friday, Jun 29 at 5:26 PM
Question: Where was he going with the broken broom stick? Obviously he threw a fit in his apartment because his wife left him behind when he feel out of the car...so, back to my question, why did he go outside. Had he stayed inside, he'd most likely have been arrested and went to jail.
94989036maumavae said on Tuesday, Jul 3 at 3:30 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!!!
95345946Anonymous said on Monday, Jul 9 at 7:36 PM
what do you think is going to happen if you come at a cop with a broom stick. Did he think that the officer was going to just allow him to bash his head in? Do you think the officer should just allow this guy to bash his head in, no way.
95954556Anonymous said on Monday, Jul 9 at 7:40 PM
wrong doing my ....., how did I guess the family was interested in $?
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