Police have charged a 32-year-old man with murder in the fatal shooting incident in Eagle River that left one woman dead inside a car.
The Anchorage Police Department have charged James Andrew Baker with first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree attempted murder and one count of third-degree assault in connection with the incident, which appears to have occurred in the early-morning hours on Sunday.
Multiple calls to police reported three suspicious individuals walking along Eagle River Road, and a person with a gunshot wound seeking assistance at a nearby home. Police were led to a tan 2000 Dodge Intrepid through witness statements, found on Barclay Drive at the Top of Mile High Road, according to a statement from APD. Inside was a woman who police say died of an apparent gunshot wound, according to court documents.
“The female who was found deceased inside the vehicle has been identified as 56-year-old June Mary McCarr,” police said, adding that her next-of-kin have been notified.
Multiple shell casings were found inside the car, and two other occupants of the vehicle were struck by bullets as well, APD says. They have been identified as 24-year-old Roy Boswell and 31-year-old Kurtis Reed. Both were transported to the hospital in critical condition. As of 9 p.m. Sunday, their conditions were stable. The two other occupants were Samuel Davis and Alexandria Ewan, who were questioned by police as witnesses.
All but one of the witnesses was able to identify the shooter, who was known by most of them as “Ajax.” Baker was identified in a lineup by Davis, and reportedly has a tattoo on his chest that says “AJAX.”
Authorities arrested Baker, who waived his Miranda rights during his interview with police. Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle belonged to Baker. He drove the vehicle to the top of Mile High Road with six people inside, APD says. Initially, Baker reported his car was stolen during a “Chinese fire drill,” according to court documents, but he later admitted to driving the vehicle.
“The vehicle was parked near Brownie and Barclay Drive where the occupants used drugs inside of the vehicle,” APD said. “For an undetermined reason, Baker produced a firearm and started firing at the other occupants inside of the vehicle.”
The left side of the car showed evidence of the shooting, with damage to the windows and doors consistent with witness testimony. All of the occupants fled except for McCarr. In an interview with police, Baker said an “angel” threw the gun away after the incident.
Police believe someone picked Baker up in the Eagle River Road area around 6:30 a.m. Sunday, adding that someone dropped Baker off at the Tesoro Gas Station, located at 12139 Old Glenn Hwy.
Police are now looking for that person, believed to be driving a newer model dark red or maroon SUV.
Authorities are asking that person to call police at 786-8900 and press “0” to speak with a dispatcher, who will connect them with a detective.
Bail was denied by Magistrate Judge Kathleen Doherty.