Updated at 12:49 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15
The gun used in the weekend ambush-style shooting against a police officer is connected to five Anchorage homicides from earlier this year, according to the Anchorage Police Department (APD).
In a press conference Tuesday at the APD training headquarters, in the Jewel Lake area, Chief Chris Tolley also identified the shooter, as well as the officers — one of whom suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the incident.
“So often, it’s totally understandable for an individual to just stay put and hold their ground. Some individuals would even retreat in a situation,” Tolley said. “Some individuals, unfortunately, will freeze in a situation where they are faced with a fear. But these individuals are APD police officers and they charged in and took control of the situation.”
Tolley identified those officers as Arn Salao (pictured) and Sgt. Marc Patzke.
APD officer Arn Salao / Anchorage Police Department
According to APD, on the morning of the Saturday shooting, police dispatch received a call that someone refused to pay their cab fare. Salao responded.
The officer saw 40-year-old James Dale Ritchie and attempted to talk to him but was unable to stop him.
Then Ritchie opened fire, police said.
“Officer Salao flew out of his vehicle and started to return fire,” police wrote in a release, following the press conference. “Sgt. Patzke had arrived on scene as the shooting was occurring. He ran towards the suspect and returned fire, ultimately causing the suspect to fall to the ground over top of Officer Salao.”
Salao was transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries. Tolley said Salao took at least four shots to the lower half of his body, but the bullets moved into his mid-section. One bullet was lodged in his liver, Tolley said.
Tolley added that he visited Salao Tuesday morning and said the officer was in “good spirits,” despite two emergency surgeries and an infection he already fought from his wounds.
Salao has been with the department since 2011 and worked patrol. Patzke has been with APD since 2007, was promoted to sergeant in 2013 and oversees the K-9 unit.
Ballistics evidence pulled from the gun Ritchie used showed it was the same weapon used in five homicide cases from earlier this year, which include the double homicides at Valley of the Moon Park and North Post Road, as well as a single murder on Bolin Street.
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The next of kin for all of the victims in the murders — Jason Netter, Brianna Foisy, Treyveonkindell Thompson, Brie De Husson and Kevin Turner — were notified Tuesday morning.
APD said they’re still looking into Ritchie and urged the public come forward with any information they may have on him by calling APD at 907-786-8900.
Anchorage police spokesperson Jennifer Castro said police believe the sketch and description from the July 29 killing of Treyveonkindell Thompson matches Ritchie.
Sketch from July killing of Treyveonkindell Thompson (L) next to James Ritchie (R). / Anchorage Police Department
This is a developing story. Watch KTVA 11 News at 5, 6 and 10 p.m. for continued coverage of this story.
The post Gun used in APD officer ambush linked to 5 Anchorage homicides appeared first on KTVA 11.
