Suspect still at large 2 days after fatal shooting at Midtown Anchorage apartment complex

Anchorage police said they were still searching Wednesday for a man accused of fatally shooting an employee at a Midtown apartment complex two days earlier.

Josiah Goecker, 34, was killed in the leasing office of Alpine Apartments on Monday afternoon, according to information from police and the building’s owner.

Police identified the suspect as 27-year-old Jesse Lee Jones. They provided little additional information about Jones on Wednesday and did not answer questions about how the search was being conducted or whether Jones was believed to be in the Anchorage area. A photo of the suspect was not publicly released until late Tuesday.

“Jones is still wanted; his current whereabouts are unknown,” police spokeswoman Renee Oistad said in an email Wednesday. “We will not publicly disclose the details of our investigative efforts for obvious reasons.”

The department’s SWAT team responded to the large apartment complex on Mockingbird Drive on Monday afternoon to search for a suspect, but officers were unable to locate Jones in the aftermath of the shooting, police said. They warned the public that Jones “may be armed and should not be approached.”

The circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear Wednesday. Police did not answer questions about what led to the shooting.

“We have no additional details to release regarding the crime itself,” Oistad said.

Jones was charged Tuesday with first- and second-degree murder and assault, according to police. Court documents in the case were not available Wednesday.

Greg Cerbana, vice president of public relations for building owner Weidner Apartment Homes, described Goecker as a “longtime employee that was well-loved and respected.” Goecker was the community director at the 387-unit apartment complex and oversaw operations there, Cerbana said.

In a statement Wednesday, Goecker’s family said he “was a devoted husband, a loving father, a caring son, an incredible brother, and a dear friend to so many. He loved Jesus Christ with his whole heart and strength ... "

The family asked for privacy and thanked “the entire community for their love and support.” An online fundraiser was set up to support his wife, daughter and unborn daughter.

The search Monday resulted in hours-long road closures and prevented some residents from returning home as armed officers searched the area. Jones was described by police as 6 feet tall and 175 pounds with brown hair and eyes.

Police asked anyone with information to call dispatch at 311 (option 1) or 907-786-8900 (option 0). Anonymous tips can be reported online.

The shooting is Anchorage’s 17th homicide so far this year.