Stebbins man arrested after armed standoff with troopers

An armed standoff on a bluff in Stebbins ended without gunfire. Alaska State Troopers arrested a 25-year-old Stebbins man on four assault charges.

Troopers received a report of a domestic violence assault in Saint Michael at 3:13 a.m. on Aug. 10, according to Department of Public Safety dispatch. Investigators allege Tristan Thrasher threatened and assaulted two people, then left the residence with a firearm and left on an ATV with three friends.

Nome-based Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers and the Western Alaska Alcohol and Narcotics Team responded to Saint Michael. Troopers encountered the group on the road between the two villages. According to the dispatch, Thrasher did not stop and continued into Stebbins.

According to troopers, Thrasher and the three others positioned themselves on a bluff. There, he announced he wanted a shootout with troopers. Troopers set up containment, and the Crisis Negotiation Team reached Thrasher by cell phone. The three people with him surrendered shortly after contact was established. Thrasher surrendered later without incident.

He was taken into custody on two counts of assault in the third degree and two counts of assault in the presence of a minor. The Alaska Court System's list of criminal charges shows two counts of assault 3 filed Aug. 10 in Stebbins, marked domestic violence related and classified as a Class C felony. Court records describe those counts as causing fear of injury with a weapon. The charges are accusations, and Thrasher is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The detailed account of the incident comes from trooper dispatch. The allegations about the bluff confrontation, Thrasher's failure to stop and his stated wish for a shootout come from that account, which included no response from Thrasher or an attorney. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are pending.