Juneau Police Department officers used a Taser gun to subdue a 23-year-old man who allegedly threw a machete at them Thursday evening.
Police took the man, whose name hasn’t been released, into protective custody after he was treated for minor injuries at Bartlett Regional Hospital, according to a JPD information release. The man was treated for a mental health emergency.
At 7:25 p.m. JPD received a call from his stepfather, who reported his stepson was involved in a “physical altercation” with his wife, according to the information release. The man’s stepfather had locked him out of their home near Radcliffe Road and Berners Avenue. He reported that his stepson was wielding a machete.
The 23-year-old man left the area and was later reported to police by a separate group of people in the 9300 block of Glacier Highway, where he was supposedly threatening to damage property. The caller reported to JPD that the man had also damaged two cars parked at a nearby business.
When officers arrived at the scene, the man picked up his machete and tried to run, police said. When the officers pursued the man, he allegedly threw his machete in their direction at which point an officer shot him with a Taser.
Police are forwarding charges to the city prosecutor for consideration. The charges include two counts of criminal mischief and one count of assault.
Police usually do not release names until an arrest has been made or charges have been brought.
