Palmer man shot by authorities after firing weapon at girlfriend, police during domestic violence incident in Wasilla Christmas morning

A Palmer man was hospitalized and is facing attempted murder charges after an officer-involved shooting in Wasilla early Christmas morning.

MATCOM received a report of a domestic disturbance Dec. 25 at 12:23 a.m. The caller reported that her boyfriend was going to kill her, according to an online dispatch posted by the Alaska State Troopers. The boyfriend was identified as Joseph Frantz, 35, of Palmer.

“The caller got to the point where she could no longer speak with the dispatch but kept the line open,” troopers said. “Frantz was heard in the background saying he was going to kill the caller and a shot was heard.”

AST, Wasilla Police and Palmer Police all responded to the scene.

“When contact was made at the door, the caller was ushered to safety by troopers as Frantz opened fire on troopers and a WPD officer from what appeared to be an ambush position,” troopers said. “A trooper and WPD officer returned fire and injured Frantz.”

Frantz was treated for non-life threatening injuries. When released from the hospital, troopers said, Frantz will be remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial on four counts of first-degree attempted murder. Three of those charges are for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and the fourth is domestic violence related. Additional charges are expected, troopers said. Further investigation revealed that Frantz fired a shot at a neighbor’s residence before police arrived to the scene.

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