A man is dead and an Alaska State Trooper sustained serious injuries after an officer-involved shooting Saturday evening. Troopers say 42-year-old Nikolai Yakunin was shot after he assaulted an officer, but it's unclear how the altercation happened and if Yakunin was armed, reports Alaska Public Media.
Troopers in Anchor Point received a report that 42-year-old Nikolai Yakunin was in contact with a female who he was prohibited from speaking to under his probation conditions.
Troopers received the report at 2:17 p.m. Saturday afternoon and responded to Yakunin's residence off Nikolaevsk Road on the south side of the small village of 350 people about five hours later at 7:07 p.m.
According to a trooper dispatch, the responding trooper was incapacitated after Yakunin attacked him and additional troopers were dispatched for backup. Troopers say Yakunin continued his "assaultive behavior, and he was shot to prevent further assaults on any Trooper or bystander."
According to court records, Yakunin has been indicted on several assault charges dating back to late 2013, including a charge for threatening to hit troopers with a metal pipe in May of last year.
A release said the trooper was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Troopers spokesperson Tim DeSpain said the trooper was still hospitalized late Monday afternoon.
The trooper who fatally shot Yakunin has not been identified. Troopers say the investigation is ongoing.
