Man dies after Spenard shooting that appears drug-related, police say

Update 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Police said the man who died in the Monday shooting was David Welch, 27.

Update 8:30 a.m. Tuesday

The man shot Monday afternoon in a Spenard parking lot has died, Anchorage police said Tuesday.

"This is now a homicide investigation," police said in an alert. "Detectives continue to seek additional information."

The man's name was being withheld pending notification of family.

Original story:

Anchorage police say a man was shot in a Spenard hotel parking lot Monday in what appears to be a drug-related attack.

The gunfire was reported at 4:27 p.m. in the parking area of the Spenard Holiday Inn Express at 4411 Spenard Road. Officers arrived to found a man who had been shot in the upper body.

The victim was taken to a local hospital with what appeared to be life-threatening injuries, police said. "The incident appears to be isolated and there is no threat to the public," the department wrote in a statement posted online.

Police said they have no information on the suspect and, as of Monday afternoon, offered no description other than the shooter is an adult male.

"At this time, the incident is believed to be drug related," police wrote.

APD is asking anyone with information about the shooting to call non-emergency dispatchers at 311. Police said drivers should avoid the area of the Spenard Holiday Inn Express.