'Person of interest' sought in fatal shooting near Anchorage McDonald's

A person was shot to death near a fast-food restaurant on Spenard Road early Wednesday, and Anchorage police are seeking a "person of interest" in the case.

No arrests had been made in the killing at the Executive Suites hotel at 4630 Spenard Road, reported just after 5:15 a.m. Police said later Wednesday morning that investigators hope to speak with 21-year-old Chaz Shanigan, who is believed to have information regarding the death.

"Initial indications are that this was a targeted event and there is no public safety concern," police wrote.

Anchorage Police Department Lt. John McKinnon said at the scene that according to witnesses, the male victim jumped from a window of the hotel next to the McDonald's. Police couldn't say whether the victim had rented a room at the hotel or was staying with someone who had.

"A person came out of an upper story window on this side of the building," McKinnon said. "More shots were heard and that person got into a car."

The vehicle then was driven to the McDonald's, where the victim, believed to have been a passenger, was found dead, McKinnon said.

McKinnon said the victim was found half in, half out of the vehicle, a gray SUV. The vehicle was still idling as investigators examined the scene.

"He's literally trying to get out of the car, then froze in place," McKinnon said.

Police don't yet have a suspect description. "We don't know who did the shooting," McKinnon said.

Police spokeswoman Renee Oistad said the victim hasn't been publicly identified, pending notifications to next of kin. Investigators weren't releasing anything further on the case late Wednesday morning, she said.

Police ask anyone with information on Shanigan's whereabouts to contact APD dispatchers at 907-786-8900, or reach Anchorage Crime Stoppers at 907-561-STOP or its website.

Oistad said Wednesday's death brings Anchorage to a total of eight homicides in 2017, in which a total of 10 lives have been lost.