Trooper Identified in Fatal Shooting on Glenn Highway

The trooper who was involved in a fatal shooting Friday (8/3) on the Glenn Highway has been identified as Sgt. Paul Anthony Wegrzyn.

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by Megan Mazurek

Story Created: Aug 6, 2012 at 3:21 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Aug 6, 2012 at 3:21 PM AKDT

The trooper who was involved in a fatal shooting Friday (8/3) on the Glenn Highway has been identified as Sgt. Paul Anthony Wegrzyn.

Troopers say Sgt. Wegrzyn shot and killed Justin Lloyd Abrahamson, 29 after he allegedly led him on an early morning car chase and approached him and two other troopers with a raised bat. The investigation of the incident and crash shut down the Glenn for several hours Friday morning. Officials say Wegrzyn is a 9-year-veteran and is based out of Palmer.

In accordance with department policy Wegrzyn was placed on administrative leave for three days. The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is looking into the incident and will share its findings with the Department of Laws Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals.

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Easy to armchair cop said on Saturday, Aug 11 at 8:53 PM

You're trained to shoot to kill. You think in the heat of the moment you can overcome that?

Anonymous said on Tuesday, Aug 7 at 7:51 PM

Because either they or their superiors directing them to do so are killers Debbie Phifer. Otherwise, they would wound rather than shoot to kill someone who does not have a firearm in their hands.

Debbie Phifer said on Tuesday, Aug 7 at 7:28 AM

Why couldn't 1 out of 3 officers merely shoot him in the leg or arm, especially since he was wielding a bat and not a gun?

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