Suicidal man shot after firing at troopers

PALMER — A reportedly suicidal man who fired a weapon at Alaska State Troopers was seriously wounded late Thursday night after troopers returned fire.

Troopers responded to a 911 call in the Palmer area of a man with a firearm who was suicidal and had already sustained one self-inflicted non-life-threatening gunshot wound, the AST reports. It was also reported that the man’s family members feared for their own safety as well.

Troopers are investigating the shooting, AST spokeswoman Megan Peters said, and the man’s name is not being released pending because charges have not yet been filed. He’s at a local hospital being treated for his injuries, the report says.

When troopers arrived at the residence, they “established a perimeter and initiated verbal communication with the suicidal male,” the report says. “The man came to the door brandishing a firearm and fired upon troopers. Multiple troopers returned fire and the man retreated inside the residence.”

No troopers were injured in the exchange, and the Southcentral Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) was called in to help get the gunman into custody. Prior to the team’s arrival, the man turned himself in, according to the report.

Names of the troopers involved in the shooting will be released Monday, Peters said.