State Prosecutors Clear Officer Who Shot Stick-Brandishing Man

June 27, 2012|By Rebecca Palsha | Channel 2 News

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An Anchorage police officer involved in a deadly shooting in Mountain View has been cleared.

“No criminal charges against the officer will be filed.” Chief Mark Mew said.

At a Wednesday afternoon news conference, police released video, photos, a map and a transcript of the 911 police dispatch leading up to the moment of the shooting back on June 9^th.

That night three 9-11 phone calls had come in telling dispatchers that 26-year-old Shane Tasi was behaving violently. Photos inside the Tasi home show a fridge and couch tossed on the floor. One 9-11 caller told a dispatcher there was blood everywhere and that it sounded like someone was ‘getting their butt beaten.’ Police later told reporters there wasn’t as much blood Inside the home as they anticipated after listening to those callers.

Police say Tasi had been drinking and they suspect he may have taken drugs, although the toxicology results aren’t back yet.

In the video Tasi can be seen walking toward 26 year old patrol officer Boaz Gionson with Tasi waving a 39 inch broken broom handle in front of him. It takes about four seconds for the two men to come within just a few feet of each other before Gionson fired three shots that hit Tasi in the chest and the shoulder.

Police say Gionson told them he felt that if he hadn’t shot Tasi he himself would have been knocked unconscious leaving himself and the people in the area vulnerable.

Tasi’s wife, her attorney and a friend attended the press conference and at one point were asked to leave. They ultimately stayed to listen and had no reaction as police detailed the moments leading up to Tasi’s death.

The couple has three children, a 1-year-old, 2-year-old, and 3-year-old and Tasi’s wife is pregnant.

Phillip Weidner who represent’s Mrs. Tasi said he’s done his own investigation and that it looks like Gionson violated Tasi’s civil rights.

“From what I know, from our investigation, and from speaking with witnesses I think it’s appropriate to file a civil lawsuit.” Weidner said.

Mew extended his sympathies to the Tasi family.

“This is a tragic situation,” Mew said, “We don’t make light of it and we do not sensationalize it.”

Contact, Rebecca Palsha

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