Fatal shooting following attempt to make warrant arrest

During the early afternoon hours on August 8, 2025, multiple Alaska State Troopers (AST) responded to a Wasilla residence to make an arrest of a male for an outstanding parole warrant. The man fled on foot from troopers, retreating in a motorhome’s bathroom on a nearby property, eventually barricading himself and refusing to comply with troopers’ commands to exit the bathroom.

Troopers breached the door and discovered the man was armed with a handgun. Due to his actions, one AST discharged their weapon and struck the man. Troopers on scene began life-saving measures as EMS responded before he was transported to a local hospital, but was ultimately pronounced deceased. In an online dispatch, it was reported that no one else sustained injuries during the response.

The deceased man, identified as 32-year-old Charles Hedgers has been transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy.

The Alaska Bureau of Investigation has assumed case responsibility and will conduct a thorough criminal investigation into the trooper’s use of lethal force. Once their investigation is complete, it will be independently reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions.

Per Alaska DPS policy, the trooper, identified as Trooper Nicholas Blanchard, a one-year veteran of the Alaska State Troopers, was placed on seven days of administrative leave.