Anchorage police identify officer and man killed in south side shooting

Anchorage police have named the individuals involved in a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred on Thursday afternoon. The department identified the deceased suspect as 33-year-old Rodrigo Gonzalez and the officer who fired the fatal shot as Jace Vickerman.

According to APD Chief Sean Case, the incident started at 10:05 a.m. when dispatch received a report of a burglary at a business on Lore Road. Police officers located Gonzalez near 12201 Industry Way around 1:41 p.m. Authorities noted that Gonzalez was already the subject of two felony warrants issued on Oct. 4.

Case stated that a physical struggle on the ground began as officers tried to take Gonzalez into custody. During that struggle, Gonzalez fired one shot. One minute later, at 1:42 p.m., Officer Vickerman arrived on the scene and fired a single round, which killed Gonzalez. Emergency medical staff provided care at the location before pronouncing him dead.

The Office of Special Prosecutions will now review Vickerman’s use of force to determine if it was justified. Following that review, APD Internal Affairs will examine the officer's actions to check for any policy violations. In accordance with standard procedure, Vickerman has been placed on administrative leave. Police confirmed that next of kin notification procedures are complete.