A woman was arrested and a man was hospitalized following an altercation outside the Douglas Library on Wednesday evening, according to the Juneau Police Department.
Police responded to a report of a woman fighting with a man near the library at approximately 7:32 p.m. on July 30. Officers identified the woman as Marisa Didrickson, 47, of Juneau, and the man as a 52-year-old Juneau resident.
According to police, Didrickson allegedly threw water in the man’s face and made racially charged remarks, including comments suggesting the man, who is black, did not belong in Juneau. She was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct.
As officers attempted to place Didrickson into a patrol vehicle, she continued to shout at the 52-year-old man and directed a 49-year-old male friend to “take care of him,” while nodding toward the man, police said.
The 49-year-old, also a Juneau resident, then approached officers in what police described as an aggressive manner. the man was taken to the ground during arrest and sustained a head injury.
He was transported by Capital City Fire/Rescue to Bartlett Regional Hospital and later medevacked to Anchorage for further treatment.
Didrickson was transported to Lemon Creek Correctional Center. The incident remains under investigation, police said.
The press release comes after a video was circulated by a civilian on social media.
The arrest has sparked controversy in comments, with some saying the officer used unnecessary force.
The Juneau Police Department has requested and was granted assistance from an outside law enforcement agency to lead an investigation into the officer’s use of force in this incident.
Once the agency concludes its investigation, the State of Alaska Office of
Special Prosecutions will review the case to determine whether the use of force was consistent with AS.11.81.370.
The Officer involved has been placed on administrative leave per department policy.
Their name will be released following the investigating agency’s review.
In accordance with CBJ code, body-worn camera footage related to this incident will be released and posted on the JPD website 30 days from the date of the incident.
