A Skagway man pleaded not guilty Nov. 7 to multiple charges stemming from an alleged September shooting incident in which he recklessly placed Skagway police officers in danger.
Eric Craig Estep was arraigned on first-degree assault charges, both class C felonies, Monday in Juneau Superior Court.
On Sept. 29, police responded to Estep’s home after receiving reports he was suicidal, intoxicated and armed with two guns and knives. According to charging documents, Estep admitted to consuming 16 beers and had a breath alcohol content of 0.165.
He was allegedly requesting police to respond.
Arriving at the residence, police requested Estep come to the door to talk.
He yelled that he wanted the officers to kill him, police said. Estep emerged from the residence with a shotgun and fired two shots.
Later, he admitted to shooting in an attempt to provoke the officers to shoot and kill him, according to court documents.
Both officers said they feared for their lives, believing they were being shot at as they ducked out of the way.
Estep surrendered after a brief standoff.
Estep also faces a charge of third-degree misconduct involving a weapon, a class A misdemeanor, for possessing a firearm when intoxicated to the point of physical or mental impairment.
He was allegedly in possession of a 12-gauge shot gun and a rifle both loaded with ammunition.
His trial is scheduled for Jan. 17 in Juneau Superior Criminal Court.
