INFORMATION RELEASE

***** Update - December 12th, 2019 5:00 p.m. *****

On December 4th, 2019, the Juneau Police Department received a letter from the State of Alaska Department of Law, Office of Special Prosecution reference Officer McGrann’s use of force on August 4th, 2019. In essence, Alaska Chief Assistant Attorney General Office of Special Prosecutions Jack McKenna determined that “Officer McGrann was legally justified in his use of deadly force in order to defend Officer Malone and himself from the threat of death or serious physical injury. The State of Alaska will therefore not bring criminal charges against Officer McGrann in relation to his use of deadly force on August 4, 2019.”

Since the incident on August 4th, 2019, both Officer McGrann and Officer Malone have returned to full duty with the Juneau Police Department.

Christopher Netling is currently at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center being held on $20,000 cash bail pending prosecution of one count of Assault 2nd Degree Domestic Violence, and two counts of Assault 3rd against a Police Officer.

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***** Update - August 12th, 2019 2:00 p.m. *****

The two JPD officers involved in this case are Officer Hannah Malone and Officer Thomas McGrann.

Officer Malone has worked for JPD since January 2015. Officer Malone also worked as a Corrections Officer for 2 years at the Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, and she was a United States Marine for 4 years including a tour of duty in Iraq.

Officer McGrann has worked for JPD since July 2016. Officer McGrann also worked as a Deputy Sheriff for 12 years for the Cumberland County Sheriff Department in North Carolina, and as a Military Police Officer with the United States Army for 6 and a half years.

The Juneau male who was shot by Officer McGrann and medivaced to Seattle has been positively identified as 29-year-old Juneau resident Christopher Netling. As of the writing of this release, Mr. Netling is currently in Washington for medical treatment for his injuries.

The officer use of force review is being evaluated by the State Office of Special Prosecution.

The criminal investigation for Mr. Netling’s actions were submitted to the Juneau District Attorney’s Office. On 08/09/2019, an arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Netling for one count of Assault 2nd Degree Domestic Violence and one count of Assault 3rd Degree on a Police Officer. Bail has been set at $20,000.

The investigation is continuing.

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***** Update - August 4^th, 2019 4:30 p.m. *****

The investigation has revealed that the male subject was physically preventing the female from leaving. He grabbed her around the neck and placed her in a “choke hold.” Due to the serious potential of injury due to strangulation, an ambulance was dispatched to the immediate area to stage.

When officers contacted the male inside the vehicle, he did not comply with verbal commands. The officers attempted to remove the male from the vehicle and he resisted. A close-quarters struggle ensued and the male armed himself with a knife. He was shot two times by one of the officers.

Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to the scene and provided medical treatment and transport via ambulance to the Bartlett Regional Hospital for both the male and the female involved.

JPD is investigating the domestic assault that precipitated the shooting, as well as the officer-involved shooting. The Alaska State Troopers and Investigators from the Alaska Bureau of Investigations will conduct a joint investigation into the use of force.

The officers were not injured during the altercation.  The investigation is ongoing.

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A domestic violence call led to an officer-involved shooting this morning in which the suspect was shot and injured.

Dispatch received a call at about 9:10 a.m. on August 4^th, 2019 reporting a physical dispute in the Safeway parking lot. A second call was received within minutes reporting a male had strangled a female inside of a vehicle in the parking lot. An ambulance was dispatched to stage in the area.

When officers arrived, a 29 year old male was contacted inside the vehicle. The male was shot twice by one of the officers. The male was transported by ambulance to the Bartlett Regional Hospital and later flown to Seattle via medevac.

Per policy, the responding officers have been placed on administrative leave. Their names will not be released for a minimum of 24 hours.

The investigation is ongoing.