The Fairbanks Police Department this week released a body-camera image that appears to show a man pointing a weapon at a law enforcement officer moments before several fatally shot him.
Police said Fairbanks resident Brandon Michael Roberts, 31, died in the parking lot of the Bentley Mall on Sunday after two Fairbanks police officers and an Alaska State Trooper fired their weapons.
The decision to publicly share the image — as well as a photo of the gun police say they recovered at the scene — was made before the complete body-camera footage was released.
A widely viewed video that circulated early this week showed the shooting but from a distance, prompting some to question the police account. There was also speculation in various social media channels that Roberts wasn’t armed.
Fairbanks Police Chief Ron Dupee determined “that releasing a few photos may help the public understand the case better while also not compromising the integrity of the investigation,” department spokesperson Teal Soden said in response to questions Thursday.
The rest of the footage will be released once the department’s investigation is complete, Soden said.
The incident occurred last Sunday evening in the parking lot of the Bentley Mall with numerous people present.
The encounter began after a probation officer called 911 to say he had spotted Roberts, who was wanted on a probation warrant related to a prior burglary, police said earlier this week. The officer told dispatchers that it appeared Roberts, a convicted felon, was illegally carrying a gun.
Roberts immediately fled after officers found him, the department said. As officers pursued him, Roberts pointed a handgun at an officer, police said. The two officers and trooper fired, killing Roberts.
The shooting in such a public location prompted a statement from City of Fairbanks Mayor Mindy O’Neall.
“Any loss of life is tragic, and my thoughts are with (Roberts’) family and loved ones as they grieve,” O’Neall wrote. “My thoughts are also with the officers who were forced to respond to a dangerous and rapidly evolving situation … one that no officer ever hopes to face.”
One person commenting on the mayor’s post suggested officials reach out to witnesses in “the heavily pedestrian populated area” to offer help with counseling.
The Tanana Chiefs Conference and Fairbanks Native Association issued a joint statement Thursday calling Roberts “one of our community members” and extending condolences to his family, friends and all who knew him.
“Behind every headline is a human being whose life mattered. Brandon was someone’s son, family member, friend, and loved one,” the statement said. “As our community responds to this tragedy, we ask that everyone remember the human impact of this loss and approach conversations with compassion and respect for those who are grieving.”
The two tribal organizations said they are working with local law enforcement and the City of Fairbanks to remain informed and provide support.
“Our organizations also have an important responsibility to advocate on behalf of the Alaska Native community,” the statement said. “We will continue to stay engaged, seek transparency, and ensure our community’s voices, concerns, and needs are heard as more information becomes available.”
The department on Wednesday released the names of the law enforcement officers who discharged their weapons, including Trooper Julien Dreher, a two-year veteran of that agency.
The department identified one of the Fairbanks police officers as Matthew Pugh, a one-year veteran with the department who also served five years with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in Memphis, where he was a field training officer and a certified crisis intervention team deputy, according to Soden.
The second Fairbanks officer was identified as Gregory Stratman, a one-year veteran of the department with over five years’ experience also at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office as a member of the crisis intervention team and a critical incident response team.