JUNEAU, Alaska (KINY) — On July 15, 2024, at 1:11 p.m., the Juneau Police Department was following up on an assault that occurred on July 14. An officer contacted Steven Kissack, 35, a resident of Juneau. During the interaction, Kissack produced a knife and refused to comply with the officer’s orders.
The officer requested additional law enforcement assistance, and a Juneau-based Alaska Wildlife Trooper and several JPD officers responded to the scene. Officers negotiated with Kissack for several minutes, urging him to drop the knife, but he continued to refuse commands.
Juneau police officers deployed less-lethal bean bag-style rounds to encourage compliance, but Kissack continued to refuse and charged at the officers while brandishing the knife. Multiple officers discharged their weapons, striking Kissack. Despite lifesaving efforts by law enforcement and EMS, Kissack was pronounced dead at a Juneau area hospital. No officers or bystanders were injured.
Kissack’s body will be sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. His next of kin have been notified.
The Juneau police officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave. The Alaska Wildlife Trooper who discharged their weapon has been placed on 72 hours of administrative leave in accordance with DPS policy. The trooper’s name will be released in three days.
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation. They will conduct a thorough review of the incident, which the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions will independently review to determine if lethal force was justified.
