The Alaska State Trooper who in July shot and killed a man who was allegedly wielding a harpoon at South Kasilof Beach was found to be “legally justified in his use of deadly force” by the State Department of Law.
In July, a dispatch from Alaska State Troopers said that Gabriel Holmann, a one-year veteran of the Alaska State Troopers and a former Kenai Police officer, shot 67-year-old Kirk Medak after Medak charged at troopers while brandishing a harpoon. Troopers were responding to a call made shortly after midnight — while the personal use dipnet fishery was open — that reported a man with a sword was threatening to kill people.
When troopers arrived, the dispatch said Medak “initially retreated” at commands from troopers, but charged again when troopers exited their vehicle. Medak was declared dead at the scene.
According to a press release from the department, the Office of Special Prosecutions says that Medak “repeatedly” struck the trooper patrol car “with a pointed pole that looked like a harpoon or a spear,” and was “poised as if he was about to throw it” when Holmann fired his gun.
The office’s determination was issued to the State Department of Public Safety on Aug. 22, though the release notes that “due to an oversight,” a press release wasn’t issued. The release was published on Thursday.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
