ANCHORAGE - Eight people have been murdered in Anchorage so far this year, compared with six this time last year.
Of the eight cases this year, Anchorage police have murder suspects in custody for all but two of them.
One of those is the shooting death of 43-year-old Michael Curry, at R and R Garage.
Curry was killed during an attempted robbery of his workplace on April 18.
“They have not made an arrest in that case of any kind, and the detectives are continuing to work the case,” said Anchorage police spokesperson Lieutenant Dave Parker.
"Everyone has been very cooperative at the garage in that case, and they have been able to talk to the other shooting victim so they'll be able to put together the case.”
23-year-old R and R Garage employee Freddie Esteban, who was also shot during the robbery, has recovered well and will soon return to work.
The second case police say they do not have a confirmed suspect for is that of 24-year-old Airman Clinton Reeves.
Reeves’ body was found in Eagle River early May after his April 22 disappearance.
Shortly after his body was found, 24-year-old Airman James Thomas was arrested and charged with six Class C felony counts of tampering with evidence in relation to Reeves' murder.
"So the primary person of interest is in custody at this time and what [detectives] are doing is working through all the evidence, working through all the statements that have been made by various witnesses,” said Parker.
“Then they'll pull that all together and determine whether or not they can make charges.”
