FAIRBANKS — Two Alaska State Troopers killed a Virginia man about 20 miles north of Healy on Friday after he shot another man twice with a handgun.
Atom Ziniewicz, 34, of Falls Church, Va., was fatally shot by the two troopers around noon Friday near milepost 270 of the Parks Highway. The shooting came about five hours after troopers had launched a manhunt for Ziniewicz that disrupted traffic along a nine-mile stretch of the highway for several hours.
Troopers hadn’t released many details about the shooting as of 5 p.m. Friday, only that Ziniewicz was armed when members of the Special Emergency Reaction Team attempted to arrest him. The trooper report did not indicate whether Ziniewicz threatened troopers or pointed a firearm at them.
Troopers were searching for him after receiving a report that Ziniewicz had shot a man twice with a handgun.
The victim, Brenton A. Green, 21, of Wasilla, was transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for two gunshot wounds and released.
According to troopers, Ziniewicz confronted Green and a woman, Kimberly J. Scharber, 21, of Wasilla, who were staying in a cabin near milepost 270. The man threatened both Green and Scharber and shot Green twice. The couple fled the area and reported the shooting to troopers in Fairbanks at 6:45 a.m.
Troopers from Healy, Cantwell, Fairbanks and Palmer, including a K-9 team and SERT members, responded to the area and established a perimeter.
Armed with rifles and dressed in camouflage, troopers scoured the stretch of the highway looking for Ziniewicz. Checkpoints were set up at mile markers 267 and 276 to warn motorists not to stop, not to pick up hitchhikers and to report any suspicious activity along that stretch of the road at either checkpoint.
Troopers located Ziniewicz about noon, but it was unclear exactly where he was found.
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting. As per department policy, the names of the troopers who shot Ziniewicz are being withheld for 72 hours.
Locals in Healy who had contact with Ziniewicz described him as a drifter who showed up earlier this summer in the community about 20 miles north of Denali Park. Ziniewicz told several people in the community that he was a former Green Beret and was planning to live in the woods this winter and write a book.
Terry Miller, who owns Denali Dome Home Bed and Breakfast on Healy Spur Road, said Ziniewicz stayed there for three nights about three weeks ago. “Crazy” and “lost” were the two words Miller used to describe Ziniewicz.
“He was going out into the wild to do his own thing,” Miller said. “He had a lot of problems.”
Workers at Mt. View Liquor and Grocery Store in Healy, where Ziniewicz mainly bought alcohol and chewing tobacco, said Ziniewicz told them he was planning to write a book.
Clerk Eric Helwig said Ziniewicz came in at one point and bought $400 of chewing tobacco and $400 in liquor. Ziniewicz had a tattoo on one hand that said “Know Thy Enemy” and carried a pistol on his side, but other than that and the fact he claimed to be a former Green Beret, he seemed like “an average, nice guy,” Helwig said.
“He seemed sane to me,” Helwig said. “He never showed any distaste toward me.”
But other clerks in the store described Ziniewicz as “a sketchy guy with an odd attitude,” said clerk Vaughn McCombs, who never met Ziniewicz but talked with other clerks who did.
An autopsy will be performed Monday by the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Contact Fairbanks Daily News-Miner staff writer Tim Mowry at 907-459-7587.
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Steve Robert said on Thursday, Jan 3 at 5:14 PM
Solders volunteer to go to war. We should appreciate their sacrifice to protect us. Some of them become crazy, like the one who killed 26 civilians in Afghanistan. In my opinion he was a terrorist, so lets support our troops who need to be supported. If they kill and shot innocent people any where in the world they create more enemy for us.
110547672annymous said on Tuesday, Nov 13 at 7:17 PM
If you were not violent or of a violent demenor you wouldn't have to worry about getting shot by cops. They use to have bounty hunters for wanted dead or alive serious criminals and bounty hunters would shoot them.
106548832annymous said on Tuesday, Nov 13 at 7:14 PM
Don't shoot people, don't rob people, don't do crime, don't threaten people if you don't want the cops to shoot you.It's that simple. If you do have a gun disclose you do have one and keep your hands away from it if a cop stops you and don't do violent crime or drugs and booze
106548711Eric said on Wednesday, Oct 17 at 8:04 AM
I knew Atom. He was my wife's personal trainer for over a year. He opened his own business recently, and was being a great provider for his wife. Unfortunately, over the past year his bipolar and Post-traumatic Stress Disorders tore away at his core and it destroyed his marriage and life. When my wife and I heard this story we could not believe he would do anything like this. We attended the memorial held at his crossfit business and the number of people who turned out to pay their respects is a testiment to how many lives he touched, both personally and professionally. It is a shame that the government did very little to help him. God bless Atom, may you rest in peace.
104164546Jae said on Tuesday, Sep 25 at 11:59 AM
With all due respect to you opinion, stop talking sideways out of your mouth speaking on what a real hero is... Take a trip to Walter Reed or put on a Uniform and experience combat before you talk about the intestinal fortitude that any veteran has. Atom, has accomplished things in his life that less than 1% of Americans have. And with that small number reached even a higher class of Solider by becoming a Green Beret. No need to defend him, his record and impact on those around him speaks for itself. De Oppresso Libre and God Speed.
102655045VATiger said on Tuesday, Sep 25 at 11:38 AM
Amen, Scott.
102653276curious said on Tuesday, Sep 25 at 8:20 AM
How can it be justified for two trooper to fire their high powered rifles at a man 30 yards away who "brandished" a gun. Even if he pointed it at them, 30 yards is a considerable distance with a handgun. They had rifles, WITH scopes. Where were they aiming, how many rounds did they fire? This was supposedly a trained special services team, they know their weapons capabilites and their attackers weapons. On the surface this appears to be excessive force.
102633706those that throw stones said on Monday, Sep 24 at 9:25 PM
should not live in glass houses...actually a mineral problem is what it sounds to me like...being a fitness dude he should have tested his blood like diabetics do for levels and he would be fine...most of the pharmaceuticals have more side effects then cause and effect for the drug...and allergies are another factor...get a test to see where your levels are and a diet of specifics help...some are just glory hounds too.
102601186Anonymous said on Monday, Sep 24 at 6:09 PM
There seems to be a lot of people thinking they know The face off mental illness. If you have had any experience with people with bipolar disorder, schIzophrenia, or any other type of psychotic disorder you would know that it is very common for these people to refuse help or not seek the help they need. The majority of homeless people have some sort of mental illness. To state that someone is less of a person because they don't seek help when they are suffering from a psychosis means that you do not understand the illness and how devastating it can be for everyone involved. Unfortunately, there is not one medication works for all people. Sometime it takes years to find to right combination of medication to keep an individual stabilized. Sometimes the right combination Is never found. Unfortunately, even if someone seeks help it does not always mean that help is found. Until we can find a "cure" for mental illness, we will continue to have victims in the wrong place a the wrong time
102590955AlaskaDiva said on Monday, Sep 24 at 5:34 PM
Real heros are not fatally shot by the Alaska State Troopers. Real heros do not require so many people to try and reaffirm their greatness. Real heros get the help the need when they need it. Real heros have problems, demons and flaws, but they don't succumb to them as this individual did. Real heros don't go out like that.
102589341Burnt Sienna said on Monday, Sep 24 at 4:56 PM
Mr. Horton, No disrespect intended, but it's clearly inaccurate to state that your friend was "never a violent man." I believe there is a kid with a couple of bullet holes as evidence to the contrary.
102588025Scott Horton said on Monday, Sep 24 at 12:39 PM
Atom Ziniewicz was a hero and a mentor. Most of all he was my dear friend. Like brothers. He saved my life 3 years ago. He lived with me in my home in VA for the past 7 months while he and his wife were working things through. He was NOT crazy. He was a brilliant and loving man who wrestled with the demons of Bi-polar disorder and PTSD and as a result of those diseases, alcoholism. I've seen Atom at his best. I've seen him inspire and educate people to become more then they ever thought possible. He was a gentle giant. I've also seen him at his worst when the bi-polar meds wouldn't work and he couldn't get the help he needed. However, he was never a violent man. I'm outraged at the vicious comments people make about somebody they've only met a few times. He left my home a few weeks ago to go to Alaska and do some soul searching. I believed I would see him again. And now this. I want to know what REALLY happened. We won't stop until we find out the truth! Atom you're forever in my heart
102574262Larry Nelson said on Monday, Sep 24 at 8:11 AM
Atom was my crossfit coach for seven months. He served his country with honor during multiple tours in the middle east. He was not a "drifter" nor was he crazy, he needed help. He apparently did not get the help and this was the result. He was a successful businessman, an incredible trainer and we are less of a country without him. There is a story here that needs to be told, I will do everything in my power to make sure it's told. May God bless you and keep you Atom, you will be missed.
102555106Anonymous said on Monday, Sep 24 at 6:38 AM
His service to our country? He was not a combat veteran. He was out of the army in 2004. He was a contractor when he did in Iraq and Afghanistan...he digracefully inflated his service to our country to sell gym memberships. When he started losing it, he blamed everything and everyone else for his problems including his estranged wife. The world is lucky he didn't take anyone else out with him.
102549065Alaskagator said on Sunday, Sep 23 at 10:25 PM
Something is wrong about the reporting , I think he was staying in the cabin and he may or may not of owned the property and what caused the confrotation ,he knew the woman , was he killed at the cabin ?
102531056CFer said on Sunday, Sep 23 at 4:37 PM
He was an incredible, and driven man. I hate that he wasn't able to get the help he needed.
102519126Anonymous said on Sunday, Sep 23 at 4:33 PM
He suffered deeply from bipolar disorder, PTSD and alcoholism. He was a good person that succumbed to his demons. I feel deeply for the victims of his attack, however, I do believe this was a "suicide by cop". He was most definitely a Green Beret. I believe his intention was not to kill his victim. Only to injure him in order to spark a manhunt. It is a tragedy for all involved. Another soldier killed by PTSD and another victim in the wrong place at the wrong time. My sympathies to the victims who were injured in this attack. RIP Atom
102518906s jewell said on Sunday, Sep 23 at 3:25 PM
atom ziniewisz servered this country. as a green beret im proud to say he was my nephew.and because of what he saw and had to do in iraq and afganistan and other places .YES HE HAD PROLEMS. but went he asked the country for help. the v.a. and others no one was there to help him.he is not alone.and things like this will happen over and over agian until we as a country help are troops when they come home. miss you atom r.i.p
102515106Crossfitter said on Sunday, Sep 23 at 2:05 PM
He was a great guy. He helped me achieve things I though I could not do. He will be missed.
102512116Strongarm said on Saturday, Sep 22 at 8:25 PM
God works in mysterious ways. Somewhere someone will be born to start again
102474096Hu Mahn said on Saturday, Sep 22 at 3:46 PM
He apparently had medical issues and there is information regarding his service to his country and bi-polar disorder. He helped a lot of people before suffering into his present condition.
102463256Rob Stapleton said on Saturday, Sep 22 at 9:28 AM
Into the wild II, just went into the grave.
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