The Municipality of Anchorage has reached a historic $2.11 million settlement with the family of the late Easter Leafa, marking what is likely the largest known civil settlement in Alaska’s history involving a use-of-force incident.
The settlement resolves all claims arising from the fatal police shooting of 16-year-old Leafa on Aug. 13, 2024 after she threatened several people with a large knife. Although a state investigation concluded with no criminal charges filed against the officer involved, the Leafa family, represented by legal counsel, pursued civil claims against the city. Ten members of the Leafa family were named in the settlement.
On April 30, 2025, Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case and members of the Leafa family met with their respective attorneys and reached the multimillion-dollar agreement to avoid extended litigation. The Municipality described the decision as a strategic one, aimed at minimizing costs and risks while allowing space for healing.
“We want to protect everyone involved from having to re-live this incident in court,” said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. “I have met with the Leafa family, and the grace with which they’ve responded to their loss is profound. I am grateful for their desire to prioritize healing, for themselves and the whole community.”
The statement is in contrast to the quick public apology she made to the family immediately after the incident in which Easter Leafa was a violent aggressor, and was subsequently shot by police.
“Every officer in our department has chosen to serve because they care about our community and its safety,” she said in a statement. “They have difficult and sometimes thankless jobs … As Mayor, it is my responsibility to ensure they have the support and resources they need.”
In response to the shooting, the LaFrance administration commissioned an independent review of the incident, showing no faith in the existing public process through the Office of Special Prosecutions.
That report, which was released in January 2025, included a series of policy and training recommendations, all of which the Anchorage Police Department has committed to implementing. Much of the report, however, was kept secret from the public.
Chief Case, who assumed leadership of APD on July 1, 2024, also initiated a department-wide review of use-of-force incidents dating back 15 years. That review was released publicly in November of 2024 and aimed at identifying systemic issues or trends.
Additionally, APD has launched a public-facing use-of-force dashboard to increase transparency. A six-month comprehensive review of APD’s policies and training related to force and de-escalation, conducted by an outside contractor, will begin soon, following a competitive procurement process involving the municipality, the police union, and community stakeholders.
The city has also bolstered staffing of its Mobile Intervention Team which pairs behavioral health professionals with law enforcement to respond to mental health crises. This initiative is part of the administration’s broader Safe Streets and Trails strategy aimed at preventing violence and improving public safety.
The Anchorage Assembly was briefed on the terms of the settlement during a closed-door executive session at its Tuesday night meeting. The agreement officially brings to a close the civil proceedings related to one of the most scrutinized use-of-force cases in the state’s recent history.
We certainly can anticipate some extra donations to some, left say, Assembly members.
Mayor Karen whipped out the checkbook to buy off the family , after tossing the cops in front of the bus. Remember that check is cashed with OUR moneY, not hers!!
It is nobody’s money…that’s the problem.
Chuck–Anchorage’s general liability insurance policy, which is typically part of a comprehensive insurance package, will pay the settlement, not the taxpayers.
Undoubtedly LaFrance’s response is what cost all us taxpayers money in this case.
No one settles a case like this for over 2 Million unless there is a very good chance that a jury will award more. Much more!
The public is not getting the whole story. It should because it is the tax payers money that will be used to pay all or much of the settlement.
Alaskans–The City of Anchorage holds a general liability insurance policy that will pay the settlement. From what I have read from several different sources, both the family and the City want to move forward towards healing. I suspect that the family also agreed to the terms because of the reforms, policy shifts, increased mental health support accompanying police, and the new trainings that will now be implemented. I think that everyone simply wanted to move forward from a tragic incident that affected not just the family and their community, but the police and larger Anchorage community as well.
Reward criminals. Cultivate lawlessness.
From what I recall, there were NINE family members present at the time of this incident and none of them could handle ONE distraught minor female?!? Last time I checked, Pacific Islanders are extremely stout and physically capable people. LaFrance is no friend of law enforcement and has proven it by throwing APD under the bus on this one. No wonder she appointed a sycophant to Chief of Police and sent an accomplished, well-liked veteran female Chief packing.