Editor’s note: This news event is changing rapidly and this report will be updated.
6:50 pm update: Suspect has now been arrested, with help of K9. Suspect sustained a bite.
A major incident developed Friday afternoon near Mulchahy Stadium with gunshots heard in the wooded area where vagrant encampments have developed.
A significant law enforcement operation unfolded, as dozens of police vehicles descended on the area in response to an undisclosed situation. But youth in the stadium area reported significant gunfire. Some witnesses said as many as 50 police cars were at the scene. Police had guns drawn and a drone active. There was smoke everywhere, possibly from a smoke bomb used to control crowds, and gunshots were ringing out. It sounded like a gun battle was underway.
Video and updates in this report:
According to authorities, officers are actively managing an incident that requires a large-scale police presence, and they have asked members of the public to avoid the vicinity entirely until further notice. Police have also advised those already in the area to follow officer instructions and seek alternate routes.
“Depending on the situation, our response may require the use of a variety of tactics and tools, including drones,” police stated in a public advisory.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing at least 50 police cruisers racing toward the stadium, with sirens blaring. At Mulcahy Stadium, where youth baseball games were underway, players were quickly ushered to safety into the dugout, and then were evacuated out of the dugout. The game under way was called off.
Ketchikan and Fairbanks had Legion high school teams in town for a tournament, and these games have been called for the evening.
No further details about the nature of the incident have been released as of this writing. This story will be updated.
