Wasilla man dead after officer-involved shooting

A man is dead after an officer-involved shooting in the Wasilla area Tuesday night.

Joshua Baert, 35, was pronounced dead at the scene after an exchange of gunfire with the Alaska State Troopers, according to an online dispatch published Wednesday.

Earlier Tuesday evening, troopers received a report that a man who was armed with an ax and a firearm had entered a home uninvited in the Wasilla area, troopers said. The occupants of the home did not know the man, who was making demands to see a person who was not at the residence. The man, later identified as Baert, fled into a nearby wooded area.

Troopers responded to the scene. An Alaska Wildlife Trooper piloting Helo 5 also searched the area. During the search, Baert was, “indiscriminately firing a weapon in an unknown direction.” After troopers spotted him, Baert refused to follow commands and continued to flee.

The exchange of gunfire followed.

Per policy, the troopers that followed their service weapons have been placed on administrative leave for three days. The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

Contact the Frontiersman at news@frontiersman.com.