Alaska Prosecutors Rule Officer Justified in Fatal Shooting of Man at Traffic Stop

The Alaska Office of Special Prosecution has completed its review of a May (2025) officer-involved shooting that killed Utuva Alaelua during an Anchorage traffic stop. In a press release , the state prosecutors said the shooting was justified.

On May 12 Anchorage Police Officer Carter Mayes conducted a traffic stop involving Alaelua. Officer Mayes asked Alaelua if he had any guns in the vehicle. Alaelua said he didn’t, according to the state.

At this point officers spotted a handgun in Alaelua’s lap. Officer Mayes ordered Alaelua to get out of the vehicle, officials say. Prosecutors found that Officers Mayes was justified in shooting Alaelua because he reached for the gun in his lap.

Alaelua died at the scene.