Anchorage, Alaska — On July 30, 2025, a woman identified by police as 47-year-old Marisa Didrickson threw water in the face of a 52-year-old man outside the Douglas Library. Police later said she also made racial comments, including telling the man he “didn’t belong in Juneau.” Officers from the Juneau Police Department responded to the scene. Didrickson was arrested for disorderly conduct without incident. While officers were arresting Didrickson, 49-year-old Christopher Williams Jr. began following police. Officers asked him to leave, but he refused. Didrickson, while being arrested, reportedly told Williams to “take care of” the man she had been harassing. Williams started moving toward the officers. They described his behavior as aggressive and attempted to arrest him.
Bodycam and dashcam footage show Officer Brandon LeBlanc telling Williams to put his hands behind his back and warning, “You’re about to get slammed.” LeBlanc then grabbed Williams from behind and performed a maneuver resembling a suplex (a wrestling move), throwing him to the ground. Williams’ head struck the concrete, leaving him unconscious. Emergency responders were called. Williams eventually regained consciousness but had to be medevacked for head and other injuries. The video of the arrest, filmed by a bystander and later confirmed by police bodycam footage, spread widely online and sparked community outrage. Officer LeBlanc, who was still on probation with JPD, was placed on leave and later resigned on August 29. The Juneau Police Department and city officials condemned his actions as inconsistent with policy, and an independent investigation is ongoing.
