APD: 2 wounded in downtown shooting, suspect charged

Two people were shot, one suffering life-threatening injuries, in a downtown Anchorage confrontation late Wednesday that "may be drug-related," police said.

Police arrived at the scene of the shooting in the 600 block of East Fifth Avenue, near a Wells Fargo bank branch, around 8:45 p.m. and found a man and woman wounded and lying on the pavement, according to an Anchorage Police Department statement.

"Officers set up a perimeter, located the suspect, and took the suspect into custody to be questioned by detectives. No additional suspects outstanding at this time," the police statement said.

Police on Thursday identified the suspect as Rusty Tuuaga, 24. He was arrested and charged with attempted murder, assault and tampering with evidence, police said.

Medics took the wounded man to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The woman was also treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The suspect and victims were acquaintances, and "officers have cause to believe that this incident may be drug related," the statement said.

Police provided no further details on the investigation.