Police say Fredrick "Scooter" Igtanloc, 19, confronted the 16-year-old girl early Saturday as she was walking along Transit Street with two friends. The girl's family identified her as Martha Marie Oyagak.
"My understanding is basically the female victim and these other two individuals were walking from somewhere and he confronted her," police Lt. Jeffrey Brown said.
Igtanloc apparently pulled a 9 mm pistol, shot her in the head and chest, then turned the gun on himself, Brown said.
Police got a report of shots fired and a woman lying in the street just after 5 a.m., and officers arriving at the scene found Igtanloc and the girl fatally wounded.
The firearm was recovered at the scene, and it was to be sent to the state crime lab for examination, Brown said.
Medical personnel began life-saving measures and brought both to the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital, where medical treatment continued. Igtanloc died of a gunshot to the head just after 9 a.m.
The North Slope Borough medevac service transported Oyagak to the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, where she died about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.
The medical examiner planned an autopsy on the bodies, Brown said.
Brown said police suspect alcohol was involved. The two witnesses were intoxicated at the time of the shooting and have not been cooperative with police, he said.
According to court records, Igtanloc had a lengthy history including charges of assault, disorderly conduct, underage drinking, unlawful evasion, driving under the influence, criminal trespass and drug possession.
"Pretty much you name it -- he's been around town," Brown said.
Police were not sure of the motive, though Oyagak being out without him or jealousy might have played a role, Brown said. It was not clear if the couple was still dating.
"I know there had been issues with the relationship in general," Brown said. "Because of the age discrepancy there, I guess the parents got involved when she was 15."
Police Capt. Leon Boyea said the department was not releasing further information about the circumstances of the shooting or its motive because the investigation was continuing.
A man who identified himself as Igtanloc's father at a listing for that name declined to comment.
Find James Halpin online at adn.com/contact/jhalpin or call him at 257-4589.
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.