APD confirms its SWAT officer killed an East Anchorage resident during a standoff

Anchorage police confirmed Monday that one of their SWAT officers killed a woman during an altercation at her East Anchorage home two weeks ago, the third homicide and fourth police shooting since May 13.

Immediately after the shooting, police would not confirm whether she had killed 58-year-old Lisa Fordyce-Blair or whether she had died in some other way.

Police tried to arrest her on June 19 for aggravated assault. According to a court filing by another officer, Fordyce-Blair’s neighbor called the police. The neighbor and his son were working in the yard that afternoon when Fordyce-Blair came out and yelled at them, holding a long gun.

When police arrived, she was home alone and refused to come out. A standoff ensued, which escalated when several special police units arrived on the scene, including the SWAT team, which used gas.

Police said they heard gunshots inside the house. Eventually, Sergeant Jonathan Butler fired into the house, killing Fordyce-Blaire, police said. She had no criminal record.

The state’s Office of Special Prosecutors is investigating Butler’s use of force. The police Internal Affairs Division will then review the case for policy violations.

A small group of protesters called for police checks and the release of bodycam footage at Mayor Suzanne LaFrance’s inauguration ceremony on Monday.

The SWAT officers did not wear the cameras, but officers at the three previous shootings did. New LaFrance Police Chief Sean Case said last week that SWAT officers would wear the cameras under his supervision. He also said he wants to be more transparent about timelines for releasing bodycam footage.

Jeremy Hsieh covers Anchorage with a focus on housing, homelessness, infrastructure and development. You can reach him at[email protected]or 907-550-8428. Read more about JeremyHere.