Woman fatally shot by troopers

ANCHORAGE (AP) — Alaska State Troopers fatally shot a woman they say brandished a firearm at them, the second deadly shooting involving troopers this week.

Troopers in a release say personnel were sent to a home in the Anchor Point area Wednesday after someone called 911 and then disconnected. Troopers say Mary Kate Field, 32, of Anchor Point was in the driveway. Troopers asked her to show her hands, commands they say she ignored.

Field then brandished a firearm at troopers, the release said. Troopers fired at her and life-saving measures were administered before she died.

The troopers were placed on mandatory administrative leave.

In a press release on Monday, March 16, the troopers involved were identified as Trooper John King, assigned as a patrol trooper at the A-North Detachment Seward Post. He is a six-year veteran of the Alaska State Troopers, and Trooper Recruit Sarah Herrin, assigned as a patrol trooper recruit at the A-North Detachment Soldotna Post.

Herrin is an almost three-month veteran with the Alaska State Troopers and is a recent lateral-hire who has more than seven years of experience as a law enforcement officer in the State of Alaska.

Last Sunday, Aaron Tolen, 37, was shot and killed near Wasilla when he got into an altercation with a trooper during a domestic disturbance call. The troopers involved in that incident were identified as Chris Russell, a 17-year department veteran, and Amy Nelson, a 14-year veteran.

The Alaska Bureau of Investigation will investigate both shootings and forward results to the Office of Special Prosecutions for review.