Dillingham’s Kanakanak Hospital had an active shooter early on the morning of January 14, according to a press release from the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation. No injuries were reported.
Jennifer De Winne, the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation’s chief operations officer, said in a call to KDLG that the shooter unsuccessfully tried to enter the hospital’s emergency department. She said doors were locked at that time of day per hospital protocol, but the shooter fired several shots with a shotgun, including at cars parked near the hospital.
De Winne said that multiple members of the hospital’s staff called 911 immediately, and that the hospital followed its active shooter protocols.
She said the shooter eventually fled the scene on a four wheeler and was arrested by Dillingham police further down the road.
The hospital staff, De Winne said, have already met to review the incident and will conduct a formal review this week.
Dillingham’s acting chief of police Craig Maines said in a call to KDLG that the police department received the call about the shooter at about six in the morning. Maines said that suspect fled the scene prior to police officers arriving, so they followed the suspect and arrested him downtown. Maines said the Alaska State Troopers sent additional units to assist the police.
This story was updated on 1/16/24 at 12:36 PM with a comment from Dillingham’s acting chief of police Craig Maines.
The Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation Behavioral Health's 24/7 Crisis line can be reached at 1-888-865-0799.
Get in touch with the author at christina@kdlg.org or 907-842-2200.
