Officer who fired his gun, killing driver in Mountain View traffic stop, named by APD

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Anchorage Police Department released the name of the officer involved in last Monday’s fatal officer-involved shooting in Mountain View.

According to APD, Officer Carter Mayes fatally shot 41-year-old Utuva Alaelua after he was pulled over for a traffic violation. According to APD, Mayes has been working with the department since June 2019.

According to Police Chief Sean Case, officers pulled over Alaelua near the 300 block of Bragaw Street late on May 12 for a headlight that was out. Alaelua was driving with a passenger when he was pulled over.

When officers approached the vehicle, they saw a gun near Alaelua’s “lap area,” Case said.

According to APD, officers gave commands to the driver; shortly after, Mayes shot Alaelua.

APD has not confirmed if Alaelua touched the gun before Mayes fired his handgun or if a threat was made during the interaction with the officers.

Family members also told Alaska’s News Source that Utuva Alaelua’s brother, Puipuia Lipoi Alaelua, was killed during a stand-off in an Anchorage hotel in February after police said Puipuia Lipoi Alaelua held five people hostage.

The shooting on May 12 wasn’t the first deadly incident Mayes has been involved in; in 2022, the officer fired his gun in a police shooting at the Centennial Park campground.

According to APD, the State’s Office of Special Prosecutions will review and determine if Mayes’ use of force was legally justified.

APD said all questions regarding the shooting will be answered during a press conference scheduled for Wednesday at 9 a.m.

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