APD: Teen killed by gunfire likely a bystander

Anchorage police are now investigating a Friday shooting in Mountain View, which cost a teenage boy his life and left a man wounded, as a homicide.

Leroy Lawrence, 17, died Tuesday after being shot in the head at about 3:30 p.m. Friday near Irwin Street and Thompson Avenue, APD's Renee Oistad said in a Tuesday statement. He was found lying in the street soon afterward and taken to a local hospital.

Lawrence's fellow students at East High School gathered to remember him Monday, after loved ones announced that Lawrence had "lost his battle" and his organs were being collected for donation.

"Initial indications are that Lawrence was not involved in the shooting and was an innocent bystander," Oistad wrote. "According to witnesses there were many people on foot in the area when several shots were exchanged; at least one vehicle was involved."

Another pedestrian in the area suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his legs, and was taken to a local hospital by friends.

Oistad said that the number of groups and people who fired during the encounter, as well as whether the shooting was related to gangs or drugs, remained under investigation. She declined to provide any count or description of suspects sought by police.

Police asked for the public's help Tuesday afternoon in locating two vehicles spotted in the neighborhood at the time of the shooting. One was quickly located. The 2007 silver Monte Carlo was unoccupied, however, and officers are still seeking information on who may have been driving it recently.

Police are continuing to search for a 2013 white Ford Escape, with the license plate JCW 942. (Update: Police said Wednesday morning they had located the Ford Escape but gave no further details.)

No arrests have been made in the case. Police are asking that anyone with information on the shooting contact either APD at 907-786-8900 or Crime Stoppers at 907-561-STOP or its website.