police shooting

A memorial in the doorway on Front Street where Steven Kissack was sitting when he was approached by a police officer on July 15, resulting in a 16-minute encounter that ended with him being fatally shot, includes photos, written messages and a “food for friends” dropoff box on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Some say minds not changed by bodycams of Steven Kissack’s death, but shooting has changed lives

Many suggest downtown confrontation could have been defused before police felt forced to shoot.

 

Steven Kissack (left) is seen holding a knife in this July 15 bodycam footage from Juneau Police Department Officer Terry Allen a few seconds before Kissack runs toward Allen. Two other officers at the scene said they shot Kissack because Allen was holding a non-lethal bean bag launcher that had fired off all of its rounds. (Screenshot from JPD bodycam video)

State report: Officers who shot Steven Kissack say he ran at officer who was holding an unloaded weapon

24-page letter from attorney general includes interviews, autopsy and other tests, and legal findings.

 

Steven Kissack, sitting in a covered entryway on Front Street, is approached by Juneau Police Department officer Lee Phelps at about 1:10 p.m. July 15. (Screenshot from Phelps’s bodycam video)

The bodycam of the first officer to approach Steven Kissack is 17 minutes long. Here’s what it shows.

A calm beginning, a sudden escalation and a friend trying to help is told “call my sister if they kill me.”

 

Steven Kissack is seen holding a knife seconds before he is fatally shot July 15 by officers in this screenshot from bodycam footage from Juneau Police Department officer Lee Phelps that was made public Tuesday. (Screenshot from JPD bodycam footage)

State: Officers ‘legally justified in their use of deadly force’ in shooting of Steven Kissack

Bodycam footage from four JPD officers, plus a rooftop cellphone video, released to public.

Steven Kissack is seen holding a knife seconds before he is fatally shot July 15 by officers in this screenshot from bodycam footage from Juneau Police Department officer Lee Phelps that was made public Tuesday. (Screenshot from JPD bodycam footage)
Police and other emergency officials treat Steven Kissack after he was fatally shot on Front Street on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

UPDATE: Bodycam footage of Steven Kissack shooting, results of state investigation scheduled for release Tuesday

Videos, originally scheduled for Friday release, delayed until JPD gets state report, police chief says.

Police and other emergency officials treat Steven Kissack after he was fatally shot on Front Street on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Josh Fortenbery performs a song written about Steven Kissack as three of his siblings, seated, listen during a memorial gathering Sunday at Marine Park. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Family, friends of Steven Kissack united from afar at memorial gathering after his death

Remembered as a youth who loved to read, dreamed of Alaska and kept giving even while on the streets.

Josh Fortenbery performs a song written about Steven Kissack as three of his siblings, seated, listen during a memorial gathering Sunday at Marine Park. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department’s wellness room, seen on Friday, offers a retreat from stress. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

The work of the Juneau Police Department’s Wellness Program is never done

JPD destigmatizes mental health needs of officers, who also get crisis and de-escalation training.

The Juneau Police Department’s wellness room, seen on Friday, offers a retreat from stress. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
People fill the Assembly Chambers at City Hall during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. A majority of people who testified during the meeting expressed thoughts about the shooting death of Steven Kissack during a confrontation with police two weeks ago. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Shooting death of Steven Kissack results in pleas to Assembly for transparency, restoration of trust

Residents commenting at Monday meeting mixed about if police response during standoff was proper.

People fill the Assembly Chambers at City Hall during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. A majority of people who testified during the meeting expressed thoughts about the shooting death of Steven Kissack during a confrontation with police two weeks ago. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Police and other emergency officials treat Steven Kissack after he was shot on Front Street on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Names of officers involved in death of Steven Kissack released, along with more details of standoff

JPD states Kissack threatened to kill officers; one officer who fired gun cleared in 2016 shooting.

Police and other emergency officials treat Steven Kissack after he was shot on Front Street on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
People protesting the death of Steven Kissack gather at Marine Park after marching through downtown Juneau on Sunday afternoon. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Protesters demand police accountability following death of Steven Kissack

Advocates gather where he was shot, say they are raising their voices because “he’s unable to speak.”

People protesting the death of Steven Kissack gather at Marine Park after marching through downtown Juneau on Sunday afternoon. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A memorial started on Front Street in downtown Juneau for 35-year-old Juneau resident Steven Kissack, who was experiencing homelessness, grows on Thursday with food donations and suicide hotline information. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

As the death investigation of Steven Kissack begins, special prosecution office explains its process

Reviews can be lengthy, information limited to ensure due process, Department of Law leaders say

A memorial started on Front Street in downtown Juneau for 35-year-old Juneau resident Steven Kissack, who was experiencing homelessness, grows on Thursday with food donations and suicide hotline information. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
People pass by a memorial Tuesday evening for Steven Kissack at the site he was fatally shot by police on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Fatal shooting of Steven Kissack by police and community’s response shows Juneau’s failures and heart, mourners say

“If we as a society did fail him then we should make sure we don’t fail others.”

People pass by a memorial Tuesday evening for Steven Kissack at the site he was fatally shot by police on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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