Crime & Justice

Man in critical condition after shooting outside Anchorage restaurant

A man was hospitalized in critical condition after he was shot in the neck outside a Taco Bell near downtown Anchorage Monday night, police said.

Police said no arrests have been made, and few updates were available Tuesday morning.

A call came in just before 9:30 p.m. reporting a shooting outside the Taco Bell at 2351 E 5th Avenue, according to an online notice from Anchorage police. The restaurant is across the street from Merrill Field, at 5th Avenue and Reeve Boulevard.

The shooting happened in the parking lot, police said.

Anchorage police spokeswoman Jennifer Castro said she did not have further information on the circumstances of the shooting. She said the police department's assault and burglary unit is actively investigating.

Police have not identified the victim, and Castro said she was waiting for an update on the man's condition. She said he was "conscious and breathing" at the scene.

Taco Bell was open Tuesday morning, and cars were pulling up to the drive-through. Manager Lianne Munar, who was not working when the incident occurred, said the restaurant was operating normally.

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