INFORMATION RELEASE

On December 25^th, 2024, at 5:25 a.m., the Juneau Police Department (JPD) received a report of a disturbance at the Valley Breeze-In involving a female who was refusing to leave and had threatened a person with a hammer. During the phone call between the caller and dispatch, the suspect could be heard screaming and making threats in the background.

A JPD officer responded to the scene and was immediately met by the suspect in the parking lot. The suspect walked towards the officer with a hatchet in her hand. The hatchet had an axe-like blade on one side with a hammer head on the other. The officer backed up as he gave repeated commands for her to put the hatchet down. Shortly after, a second officer arrived on scene. An officer radioed for emergency backup as the suspect continued to yell and advance on the officers.

As the officers were backing up and commands to drop the weapon were repeated, a third JPD officer arrived on scene. Commands to drop the weapon continued, and one officer deployed a Taser, striking the suspect, but the Taser had no effect on the individual. The suspect continued to advance toward the officers with the hatchet in her hand.

One officer discharged his firearm and Ashley Rae Johnston was struck. Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to the scene. After providing initial care and evaluation, Ms. Johnston was pronounced deceased at the scene.

In accordance with JPD policy, the name of the JPD officer who discharged his firearm is being released. He is identified as:

• Officer Jonah Hennings-Booth – 5.9 years of law enforcement experience, all of which at JPD.

Two other JPD officers were present during this incident. They are identified as:

• Officer Anthony Bates – 1.5 years of law enforcement experience, all of which at JPD.
• Officer Geoff Davis – 1.4 years of law enforcement service, all of which with JPD.

The Alaska Bureau of Investigation (ABI) and Juneau Police Department are continuing the investigation into the incident. Once the investigation is complete, it will be independently reviewed by the State of Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions (OSP). The OSP is responsible for reviewing all officer-involved shootings in Alaska. More information about the role of OSP in Officer Involved Shootings may be found here: Officer Involved Shooting Investigations - July 17 Press Conference (alaska.gov)

BWC is generally published no later than two weeks after an investigation is completed and any related court proceedings involving the incident have been closed. It is our intent to release the Body Worn Camera (BWC) video footage to the public as soon as practicable.

The Juneau Police Department extends condolences to the family of Ms. Johnston and those others who are grieving due to her loss.