Update on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 4 p.m.
Anchorage police have arrested a teenager they say was involved in Tuesday’s two shooting incidents.
Emmanuel McAlister, 18, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, and faces charges of first-degree attempted murder, third-degree assault, and second-degree misconduct involving a weapon, according to a statement from the Anchorage Police Department.
While investigators are still working to determine motive, multiple shots fired at an apartment building on Peterkin Avenue appeared to be directed towards an occupant inside the residence, according to APD spokeswoman Jennifer Castro.
Castro says additional suspects are believed to be involved, but have not been taken into custody. She says it is still unclear who fired the shots at the Peterkin Avenue apartment building and again near E. Fifth Avenue and Pauline Street. Police stated they have located the suspect vehicle seen by witnesses at both scenes.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the suspects or either shooting is asked to call Anchorage police at 786-8900. An anonymous tip can also be submitted to Anchorage CrimeStoppers by calling 561-STOP (7867).
Original Story
Police are investigating two shootings in East Anchorage they say may be related.
Around 2:30 p.m., the Anchorage Police Department responded to reports of shots fired along the 3400 block of Peterkin Avenue, an APD statement said. An apartment building had been shot at multiple times, and police found a number of shell casings at the scene.
Witnesses told police three young males were in a white 2000 Chevy Malibu — with license plate ESZ305 — when one of the males began firing at the building. The vehicle then fled the scene.
Less than an hour later, police responded to another report of shots fired near the intersection of E. Fifth Avenue and Pauline Street. The suspect vehicle, a white sedan, was reportedly headed toward Muldoon Elementary School, police say.
The school was on lockdown until getting the “all clear” from police just before 4 p.m., according to APD spokeswoman Jennifer Castro. Castro says the lockdown was a precautionary measure while police attempted to locate the shooting suspects in the area.
Anchorage School District spokeswoman Heidi Embley says other schools were placed into stay put mode, meaning all exterior doors were locked but classes and activities inside the schools continued. Around 2:30 p.m., Tyson Elementary School and Mountain View Elementary School were in stay put mode. Around 3:30 p.m., Muldoon Elementary was in lockdown, but that was quickly downgraded to stay put mode, and parents were notified of a late release for students.
Begich Middle School after-school activities went into stay put mode shortly after 3:30 p.m. until just before 4 p.m.
No one has reported any injuries in connection with either shooting. Police are still investigating both scenes.
A description of the suspects was not immediately available, but Castro says they are “possibly juveniles.”
Anyone with information on either incident is asked to call police at 786-8900, or submit an anonymous tip by calling CrimeStoppers at 561-STOP (7867).
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
