{"id":110661,"date":"2024-07-14T21:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-15T05:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.juneauempire.com\/home\/steven-kissack-homeless-resident-known-for-cannine-companion-juno-shot-downtown\/"},"modified":"2024-07-16T06:10:03","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T14:10:03","slug":"steven-kissack-homeless-resident-known-for-cannine-companion-juno-shot-downtown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.juneauempire.com\/news\/steven-kissack-homeless-resident-known-for-cannine-companion-juno-shot-downtown\/","title":{"rendered":"Steven Kissack, homeless resident known for canine companion Juno, killed in police confrontation downtown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t\t

This is a developing story.<\/em> <\/ins><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Steven Kissack, 35, a Juneau resident experiencing homelessness who was frequently seen downtown with his dog Juno, was shot and killed Monday afternoon during a confrontation with police involving a knife.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

The incident occurred at about 1:10 p.m. on Front Street, one of the areas Kissack was often seen, according to police and witnesses. An interaction between Kissack and a Juneau Police Department officer escalated into the fatal situation, according to a press release<\/a> issued Monday evening by the Alaska State Troopers.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

“During the contact Kissack produced a knife and refused to follow orders from the officer,” the release states. “The Juneau Police Officer requested additional law enforcement officers in the area to respond for assistance, and a Juneau-based Alaska Wildlife Trooper and several JPD Officers responded to the scene. Officers negotiated with Kissack for several minutes encouraging him to drop the knife he was brandishing, however, he continued to refuse commands.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

JPD officers fired non-lethal bean bag-style rounds at Kissack, but he refused commands and charged officers while brandishing the knife, according to the release.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

“Multiple law enforcement officers discharged their weapons, striking Kissack,” the release states. “Despite lifesaving efforts by law enforcement on the scene and EMS, Kissack was declared deceased at a Juneau area hospital. No law enforcement officers or bystanders were injured. Kissack’s body will be sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. His next of kin have been notified.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

JPD officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave, according to AST. An Alaska Wildlife Trooper who discharged a weapon has been placed on 72 hours of administrative leave in accordance with state policy and the person’s name will be released in three days.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is the lead investigating agency, the AST release notes.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

“They are responding to Juneau and will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident,” the release states. “Once their investigation is complete, it will be independently reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions to determine if the lethal use of force was justified.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Kissack, in an Empire story published Christmas Day of 2023<\/a>, said he has lived in Juneau for about the past decade. He said he grew up in Florida, then moved to Texas where his mother died. Afterward, he said he moved about frequently before ending up in Juneau.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

\"Steven<\/a>

Steven Kissack and his dog, Juno, take shelter in the doorway of the Front Street Clinic building on Dec. 24, 2023. Kissack was shot in front of the building on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini \/ Juneau Empire file photo)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

He said he did painting and construction work at first, without planning to remain in Juneau as long as he has. He has had numerous encounters with law enforcement over the years, including an assault case involving a police officer in 2021. He also interacted frequently with people who stopped by his sleeping spots to bring him and Juno items such as food.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

An observer who said he knew Kissack, and declined to be interviewed, escorted Juno away from the scene after the ambulance carrying Kissack drove away.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

A video posted on Facebook<\/a> by The Alaska Landmine shows police surrounding Kissack and firing what appear to be non-lethal projectiles, after which he made a sudden move and officers fired multiple gunshots. (Warning: Video includes graphic content.)<\/em> <\/ins><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t