Public reacts to release of body-worn camera footage in fatal shooting of 16-year-old girl

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Emotional reactions followed the State Office of Special Prosecutions’ ruling that an Anchorage police officer’s use of lethal force against a 16-year-old girl was justified.

A review by the State said Officer Alexander Roman was “legally justified” in the fatal shooting of Easter Leafa on Aug. 13 in a University Area apartment where her family lived.

Shortly after the decision came out Monday, the Anchorage Police Department released body cam footage from the night of the shooting via the department’s website, sparking public response.

While opinions have varied, many agree that more could have been done before resorting to deadly force.

Christopher Tran of Anchorage called the actions of police “preemptive” in their response to Leafa walking into the apartment after being seated outside on the back porch. She was covered in a blanket while still holding the knife Leafa’s sister told police she had used to threaten her with.

“She was just walking out the porch inside the house, they gave her a very short warning,” Tran said. “I think they could have given more time and patience ... it happened really fast, it seemed a little brash.”

Vincent Feuilles of Wasilla said more should have been done to defuse the situation.

“There’s a reason why you have social workers, why you have a mental health team, a crisis intervention team that should have been called in to go into that situation first,” Feuilles said. “There was no attempt made to de-escalate. There was no chance to de-escalate. So, no, that’s not valid.”

Dee Pletnikoff of Anchorage called the video “absolutely horrible,” and criticized the police response to Leafa standing up with the knife.

“She’s walking, she’s not charging, and for them to back up and act like she’s a massive threat, it’s ridiculous,” Pletnikoff said. “That’s my opinion. Other people might say, yeah, she deserves it. But no, a 16-year-old does not deserve that at all.”

Lifelong Anchorage resident Frank Danford disagreed, saying in his opinion, officers had no other choice.

“I think that the cops are in the right because they told her umpteen times to put it down, she chose not to. That was her choice,” Danford said. “It’s too bad that she was so young and her life is over, but that was her choice.”

Following the video’s release and OSP ruling, Mayor Suzanne LaFrance issued a press release emphasizing the importance of community working together through challenges.

“Watching this kind of incident on a phone or computer screen can be really hard, and I hope that community members take care of themselves, take care of each other, and know that we’re working hard and working together to make sure our community is a safe place for everyone,” LaFrance said.

LaFrance added that in addition to the ruling by investigating prosecutors, APD Internal Affairs will be conducting its own investigation with third-party oversight.

She said her administration will also be calling for a broader third-party review of APD use of force training, tactics, and supervision that will result in a public report and recommendations.

“The internal affairs investigation can’t start until after the [OSP] review is complete, and so we’re at that point, and the municipal attorney’s office is managing that contract,” LaFrance said. “As I understand it, we’re moving through that process with identifying an investigator, and we should be learning more soon about the next steps.”

In a statement, Anchorage Police Department Employees Association President Sgt. Darrell Evans echoed the Mayor’s comments about public unity, stating OSP’s conclusion does not take away from the “extreme toll” the incident has taken on the community and families involved.

“We should continue to come together with our community partners to learn and heal from this incident. We have been struck by the grounding voice of the Rev. Samuel Fiu Unutoa, who has in the face of tragedy called for peace and a unified path forward as a city,” Evans stated. “We join in that call. The healing process can only meaningfully occur when we stand together as one Anchorage community.”

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