Alaska Department Of Public Safety,State Troopers Public Information Office

Dispatch Text:

UPDATE 7/10/2026: The Alaska State Trooper who discharged their firearm during the officer-involved shooting on July 7, 2026, is identified as: 

Trooper Sergeant Brent Hatch, with 18 years of service as an Alaska State Trooper and five years prior law enforcement experience.  

The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is continuing their thorough investigation into the incident. Once their investigation is complete it will be independently reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions. 

UPDATE 7/7: The deceased male is identified as 20-year-old Fairbanks resident Thomas Aquino. Aquino's next of kin have been notified. 

ORIGINAL: On July 7, 2026, at approximately 2:56 am, an Alaska State Trooper attempted to stop a Ford Sedan near Noble Street and Airport Way in Fairbanks. The driver refused to stop, and a pursuit was initiated. Approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds later, the vehicle drove down a dead-end road on the 100 block of 5th Avenue and was partially blocked in by the marked Alaska State Trooper vehicle. The sedan then drove towards a uniformed Alaska State Trooper who was giving commands for the vehicle to stop. Due to the drivers actions the Trooper fired his service weapon at the adult male driver, and sole occupant of the sedan, striking him. The adult male driver was transported to a Fairbanks area hospital where he was declared deceased. The Alaska Bureau of Investigation assumed case responsibility. During the scene investigation a handgun was located. The man's name will be released once next of kin notifications are complete. His body was sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy.

The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is currently conduction a thorough investigation into the incident. Once that investigation is complete it will be independently reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions. The Trooper who discharged their firearm has been placed on 7 days of administrative leave and their name will be released in 72 hours.