Police bring in SWAT to apprehend suspect in fatal shooting in Northeast Anchorage

Anchorage police say a shooting reported Tuesday morning had turned into a special operations response by midday as they tried to apprehend a homicide suspect in Northeast Anchorage.

Officers were called to the 5700 block of Rocky Mountain Court just before 7 a.m. for reports that a man was shooting, police said. Responding officers found another man in the area with at least one gunshot wound to the upper body, they said.

Medics from the Anchorage Fire Department declared the man dead at the scene, according to police.

Numerous officers were at the scene around 8 a.m. A body covered by a sheet was visible on the ground, partly in East Sixth Street near the intersection with San Juan Circle. Police asked drivers to avoid the area. East Sixth was blocked off at Boniface Parkway to Newell Street.

Officers at the scene said they were searching for a suspect. A spokeswoman from the department did not answer questions Tuesday morning, citing an “active investigation.”

Just after 11 a.m., police said their special operations team responded to the area. The team includes officers assigned to SWAT operations, the Technical Support Unit, Crisis Negotiation Team or the Mobile Intervention Team.

Police warned that they may use “a variety of tactics and tools,” including a drone or chemical agents, to take the suspect into custody. Nearby residents with respiratory illnesses or sensitivities should remain inside with the doors and windows closed, police said.

They asked anyone with surveillance footage of the area or information about the investigation to call dispatch at 311, option #1, or 907-786-8900, option #0. Anonymous tips can be submitted online.

This is a developing story and will be updated.