The State Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions has concluded its review of a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred in Anchorage on May 12, involving Anchorage Police Department Officer Carter Mayes and Utuva Alaelua.
The review determined that Officer Mayes was legally justified in using deadly force during the incident.
The shooting arose from a traffic stop involving Alaelua. During the encounter, Officer Mayes inquired about the presence of firearms in the vehicle, and Alaelua denied having any weapons. However, officers observed a handgun on Alaelua’s lap. When instructed to exit the vehicle, Alaelua reached toward his lap, prompting Officer Mayes to fire a single shot. Alaelua was declared deceased at the scene.
The ruling comes amid escalating calls for expanded oversight of the Anchorage Police Department. Activists with the Party for Socialism and Liberation Anchorage are collecting signatures for a proposed ballot initiative that would establish an independent inspector general for the city, aimed at increasing stress on police. Simultaneously, the Anchorage Assembly is moving forward with a proposal to create a formal police oversight commission.
The push for greater oversight comes as a string of violent incidents has marred the Anchorage summer. On Sunday, police responded to a mass shooting in downtown Anchorage, directly across from the police station; one person died. Days earlier, a shooting near Mulcahy Stadium forced young baseball players to take shelter in dugouts during an evening game. Both shooters remain at large as of Monday. Police have not released many details about either event.
The Anchorage Assembly is applying pressure on police and playing Monday morning quarterback whenever a police officer has to use his/her weapon, at the same time police are dealing with rising violent crime in Anchorage.