Aug. 22—Police say they are searching for a person suspected to be involved in a fatal shooting at a homeless camp east of downtown Anchorage on Thursday morning.
The shooting took place in broad daylight at a camp located along a busy stretch of East 5th Avenue just east of Karluk Street. Yellow police tape surrounded an area of about a dozen tents.
Officers responded to reports of a man injured after at least one shot was fired at the camp around 10:15 a.m., police said. The officers found the man with wound to his upper body, they said. He was declared dead at the scene.
The department on Thursday morning released a photo of the suspect and asked for the public’s help locating him. They urged the public not to approach the man but to call 911 with his location.
“A large perimeter was set up and a suspect search was conducted with the aid of a drone,” police said. “Ultimately the suspect was not located, and the perimeter was broken down.”
Few additional details were available about the homicide investigation by Thursday afternoon. Police said the motive for the shooting and whether the involved parties knew each other were part of the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information about the suspect, aside from his location, is asked to call dispatch at 311, option 1, or 907-786-8900, option 0. Information can be submitted anonymously online.
This is the third homicide in Anchorage this week. A man was fatally shot in an East Anchorage alley early Saturday. A man was arrested Sunday after he called police to report he had strangled and stabbed his friend inside a West Anchorage apartment, according to charges filed in the case.
At least one other fatal shooting has been reported at a homeless camp this year. Witnesses at a camp on Fairbanks Street south of West 40th Avenue told police in June that two men fired shots throughout the camp during an attempted robbery, charges filed in the case said. Farrel Siulua, 30, died at the scene and another man was wounded, police said.
Last week, a man was accused of firing a shotgun at people in a Midtown homeless encampment. No one was injured, but the man was arrested on a series of charges tied to the incident.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
