Fairbanks, Alaska (KINY) – On Thursday, Dec. 28, at approximately 11:15 pm, Fairbanks Police Officers responded to 1910 Turner Street after receiving a report that a male, later identified as 30-year-old Timothy Mcardle Jr., had threatened his father with a knife and was actively destroying the residence.
Upon arrival, officers observed multiple broken windows at the apartment and items that had been thrown from the apartment into the parking lot.
Officers confirmed that the father had fled the apartment after Mcardle Jr. had come home, and, according to the father, appeared to be under the influence of methamphetamine and had threatened him with a knife.
Officers determined they had probable cause to take Mcardle Jr. into custody for Felony Assault in the 3rd Degree – Domestic Violence.
Officers made multiple attempts to contact Mcardle Jr., both through the broken windows using a Public Address system and through the front door of the apartment.
He refused to speak with officers and continued to destroy the apartment.
Officers attempted to use a taser, which was ineffective as the probes failed to connect with the suspect.
Officers then used soft hand techniques to attempt to handcuff the suspect. Soft hand techniques are described by the FPD press release as a level of force involving the use of bare hands to grab, guide, guide, hold, and restrain—applying pressure points and take-down techniques that have a minimal chance of injury.
Mcardle Jr. actively fought officers for two and a half minutes before he became unresponsive.
Officers began CPR and called for EMS assistance.
Fairbanks Fire Department (FFD) personnel were already staged nearby due to concerns that Mcardle Jr. may have started a fire in the complex.
FFD medics were on the scene within minutes to treat Mcardle Jr., but lifesaving measures were not successful, and he was declared dead at the scene.
A thorough investigation into this incident is ongoing and the Office of Special Prosecutions has been consulted throughout the process.
All officers on the scene were equipped with body-worn cameras, and the cameras were activated throughout the entire incident.
The investigation includes a review of all body-worn camera footage, as well as interviews with all officers and witnesses involved.
An autopsy has been performed, and information regarding Mcardle Jr.’s cause of death will be released when results of the toxicology tests are available and the final Medical Examiner’s report is received.
More information will be provided to the public when updates are available.
