WASILLA, ALASKA – A man was shot by a homeowner who he threatened after breaking into her home. Alaska state troopers and Wasilla police responded to a report of a home invasion and shooting off Fairview Loop at 10:04 p.m. Friday, according to an online report posted by the Alaska Department of Public Safety / Division of Alaska State Troopers.
The homeowner, a 55-year-old woman, told responding officers that a man entered her home armed with an axe and threatened to kill her. She shot him with a pistol. Identified only as a 66-year-old, he was transported to a hospital and underwent surgery for his injuries, which troopers say were not life-threatening. The report also stated that the man was intoxicated at the time of the incident. He is facing potential burglary and assault charges.
The homeowner will not face any charges. Alaska was the 49th state to join the Union but was ahead of more than half of the other states in adopting a “castle doctrine” in 2005, which was enhanced with the removal of any duty to retreat in 2013.
Like many of its sister states in the lower 48, Alaska law states in part that “…a person who is justified in using nondeadly force in self-defense under AS 11.81.330 may use deadly force in self-defense upon another person when and to the extent the person reasonably believes the use of deadly force is necessary for self-defense against death, serious physical injury, kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery in any degree… there is no duty to leave the area if the person is(1) on-premises that the person owns or leases.”
