Trooper Shoots, Injures Gun-Wielding Man at Campground

Alaska State Troopers received a call Monday morning that an intoxicated man was shooting a firearm around a Delta Junction campground.

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By Colleen Kelly

Story Created: Aug 1, 2011 at 11:15 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Aug 1, 2011 at 11:15 AM AKDT

Minutes after midnight Monday morning, Alaska State Troopers received a call that an intoxicated man was walking around and shooting a firearm around the Delta State Recreational Site campground, near the Delta Junction Airport.

A trooper arrived at the scene in his marked patrol car about five minutes later to find the suspect lying face down on the ground, aiming a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol at both the trooper and the person who reported the gun-wielding man

The trooper fired and struck the man, identified as 28-year-old Timothy J. Fitzgerald of Fairbanks.

Fitzgerald was taken to the Delta Family Medical Center for initial medical attention and later taken to a Fairbanks-area hospital for further treatment; no campers or Alaska State Troopers were injured.

The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident.

As is Alaska State Trooper policy, the name of the trooper involved in the shooting will be withheld for three days.

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Rpi said on Saturday, Aug 6 at 11:09 PM

good, should have killed him.

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Hey Fed Cop said on Tuesday, Aug 2 at 5:15 AM

Are you supposed to assume the perp is innocent until PROVEN guilty? What if this story is totally bent and the trooper is the crook?

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mom of 5 said on Monday, Aug 1 at 2:16 PM

My family had dinner at the table next to that man. He must have been in a very desperate state to go to such extremes. He seemed cordial to my kids playing near him. Thank you to the Alaska law enforcement for the preservation of life, no matter what state it appears to be in. God bless and keep you ALL.

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picknicking mom of 5 said on Monday, Aug 1 at 2:13 PM

My family had dinner next to that man. He was very cordial to my kids playing next to him. He must be very desperate to go to such extremes. Thank you to the Alaska law enforcement for the preservation of life, no matter what state that life may appear to be in. God bless and keep you ALL!

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outlaw said on Monday, Aug 1 at 2:00 PM

like I have said before a well trained group pattern is the best crime deterent

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Federal Cop said on Monday, Aug 1 at 12:58 PM

Well done Trooper, well done ! Keep up the good work

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Wes said on Monday, Aug 1 at 12:24 PM

Nice shot! It is preferable to have a live suspect, although it's not a requirement to do so. This trooper deserves our thanks and an award for a job well done.

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Anonymous said on Monday, Aug 1 at 12:04 PM

He should have shot him in the head.

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