Early Monday morning, the playground at Valley of the Moon Park was filled with families. Nearby, bicyclists rode down the trail. But Yuki Varnell, who comes here regularly with her daughter, says there are fewer people than usual following Sunday’s double homicide.
“Knowing something like this could happen and having the kids around, I would have to be more aware,” Varnell said.
Police said one man’s body was found on the bike trail in the park; another male victim’s body was found nearby. One of the victims was identified Monday as 25-year-old Bryant Dehusson, who also went by Brie, a friend told KTVA. The Anchorage Police Department said it is working on reaching the family of the other victim, after which his name will be released.
Police have not said how they died, but several people in the neighborhood told KTVA they heard gunshots early Sunday.
“It’s pretty disconcerting to find out the next day that two people were shot and killed at the park,” said Jerry Ross, who said he heard at least six shots, perhaps more.
Police have not named a suspect. One resident said people should wait before blaming someone from a nearby homeless camp.
“I haven’t had any negative encounters with homeless people and I’ve got [three] girls,” said John O’Hara, who has lived in the area for 16 years and said he was not planning to change his routine because of the killings. “It’s an unfortunate occurrence, but we rely on our police to make this world a safer place, so I put it in their hands.”
There have been 29 homicides so far in 2016, more than in all of 2015.
KTVA 11′s Eric Ruble can be reached via email or on Facebook and Twitter.
