NOTN- Body Camera footage of the July 30 use-of-force arrest that left a man hospitalized will become available today.
The incident began after police responded to reports of a disturbance outside the Douglas Library, where a woman allegedly threw water in a man’s face while making racial remarks. Officers said when they attempted to arrest her, she asked Williams to intervene and it led to a confrontation. Police say he resisted arrest before being forced to the ground.
49-year-old Chris Williams, Jr. was medevaced to Anchorage after his arrest.
Awareness of the incident has grown since video of the arrest surfaced online and sparked a protest, the witness video prompted both city and tribal leaders to weigh in.
Officer Brandon LeBlanc is a 17-year law enforcement veteran hired by the Juneau Police Department in August 2024 after serving in Louisiana.
The department said an outside law enforcement agency is leading the investigation into the use-of force incident, which remains ongoing.
When it concludes, the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions will review the case to determine whether the force used was consistent with state law.
LeBlanc is on administrative leave during the investigation. In line with city code, body-worn camera footage from the incident will be released today on the department’s website.
