Nearly three-hour standoff with JPD, FBI in drug case at home near Capitol ends with man in custody

Published 9:30 pm Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Juneau Police Department and FBI officers involved in a drug-related case were deployed in a nearly three-hour standoff at a residential building near the intersection of North Franklin and Fifth streets at midday Thursday, which ended with police firing numerous chemical projectiles into the structure during an extended period of time before a man inside came out soon after 1 p.m. and was taken into custody.

According to announcements made by police at the scene, they were serving a search warrant for an apartment in the building.

Several streets around the residence on North Franklin Street were blocked off by police following the standoff that began at about 10:17 a.m. when a search warrant was served at the residence, according to Erann Kalwara, JPD’s public safety manager. Two people inside exited the building shortly after officers arrived, but it was not immediately known if they are being charged in the case.

“The search warrant was related to an ongoing investigation involving the distribution of controlled substances in Juneau,” Kalwara stated in an email at about 3 p.m. Thursday.

Messages from an officer with a bullhorn, along with officers outside the front door subsequently, were issued constantly as the situation involving the man who remained inside slowly escalated.

An initial chemical projectile was fired shortly before noon, with others following and heavy smoke visible from the residence when the man finally emerged and was taken into custody.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.