State rules use of force justified in fatal downtown Juneau shooting

The two law enforcement officers who shot and killed a Juneau man who they say lunged at them with a knife during a standoff earlier this summer will not face criminal charges.

The state’s Office of Special Prosecutions released a letter Tuesday clearing Juneau Police Department Sergeant Chris Gifford and Alaska Wildlife Trooper Sergeant Branden Forst in the July 15 shooting of 35-year-old Steven Kissack. 

Three other JPD officers were also present at the incident but did not fire their weapons. JPD released their body camera footage from the incident on Tuesday. All of the officers returned to duty in Juneau following a short administrative leave after the shooting. 

Kissack was a member of Juneau’s unhoused community and well-known by many people downtown. He was often seen with his dog, Juno. According to social media posts by Juneau Animal Rescue, Juno has since been adopted by a new owner.

According to JPD, Kissack was first approached by a police officer on July 15 when he was sitting in a doorway on Front Street. Police say the officer questioned Kissack about an alleged assault he was involved in that had happened the day before. Officers deployed non-lethal rounds on Kissack before he was ultimately shot. 

Kissack’s death sparked public outcry, vigils and protests by Juneau residents. His interaction with police happened on Front Street in downtown Juneau in the middle of the day, and multiple videos of the incident were shared on social media. 

Since then, residents have called on the police department and Juneau Assembly for more accountability and to increase support for mental health services for unhoused people. 

The release of the body camera footage comes 57 days after Kissack’s death. The Anchorage Police Department recently announced a new policy that body camera footage of police shootings must be released within 45 days. That decision came after a string of officer-involved shootings.

Juneau City Attorney Emily Wright said the city could adopt a similar policy if the Assembly passes it. Right now, JPD’s policies do not have a timeline for when body camera footage is released to the public.

This story will be updated with more information.