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The Anchorage Police Department officers –involved in a deadly shooting in South Anchorage July 1 have been cleared by state prosecutors.
APD officers Bryan Heinz and Michael Jones fired their weapons at 59-year-old Harry Smith after Smith pointed an airgun, designed to fire BBs and pellets, at the officers.
Police were called to a home at 9000 Noble Circle where Smith was reportedly despondent and was threatening to kill other people in the house and himself.
The Alaska Department of Law Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals completed its independent review and concluded that the use of deadly force was justified by the officers since it was necessary to protect their lives and the lives of others.
In 2012, APD has had three officer-involved shootings and two were deadly including the June shooting of 26-year-old Shane Tasi in Mountain View.
Rally calls were organized in July by the Polynesian community to have APD revise its use of deadly force.