Last updated at 11:35 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24
Anchorage police say they are investigating a double homicide that occurred on Christmas Eve.
The homicide occurred on the 4100 block of Peterkin Avenue in Mountain View around 4 p.m., police spokeswoman Anita Shell said in a Nixle alert. The victims were a man and a woman, according to police at the scene.
One victim was dead when officers arrived, and the second was found alive and rushed to the Alaska Native Medical Center, where they later died as well.
Police at the scene said witnesses heard an argument between the victims, believed to be a couple, and someone else, followed by sounds of gunfire. The shooter fled the scene, police added.
Police confirmed no suspect was in custody as of 6:30 p.m. and they did not have a description of the suspect available.
“There’s neighbors that heard the commotion going on and they looked out after hearing some gunshots and saw people running and so we’re not sure if they were running from the scene or if they were involved or whatever that is,” said Sgt. Steven Childers. “We’ll have to let the detectives see how that shakes out.”
The identities of the couple will not be released until their next of kin have been notified of their deaths.
While the couple hasn’t been publicly identified, a man claiming to be their friend said he was on his way to visit them when he was stopped by the crime scene.
“It hurts cuz they both was nice people, like they was real friends and you don’t really meet people like that and it hurts me because I met people that just don’t care half the time or just don’t really show you so much love so soon,” said Darryl Hunter.
Police are calling the double homicide a targeted crime. Anyone with information on the shooting or potential suspects is asked to contact police at 907-786-8900.
Early Saturday morning, another homicide was reported in the alley behind the Gaslight Bar on Fourth Avenue. An unidentified victim was shot to death and police said a suspect was in custody.
KTVA 11’s Liz Raines and Eric Ruble contributed to this report.
The post Police investigate double homicide on Christmas Eve appeared first on KTVA 11.
