Crime & Courts

Anchorage police ID man fatally shot in July 4 dispute over bicycle

Update, Thursday:

Anchorage police identified the victim as Ian Ellison, 48.

Original story:

A July 4 shooting victim died Wednesday, according to Anchorage police.

"This case is now being investigated as a homicide," the police said in an alert.

The victim had been shot in the leg following a dispute over a bicycle and was being treated at a local hospital, police said. Authorities have not publicly named the victim, an adult male.

Daren Barnhart, 50, is accused of shooting the man at a Midtown Anchorage park. At the time, police said the injuries were minor and non-life-threatening.

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"Medical conditions can change which is what happened in this case," wrote police spokeswoman Renee Oistad.

Barnhart shot the man during a dispute at Arctic Benson Park involving multiple adults, and stemming from questions over ownership of a bicycle, police said.

Police had asked for the public's help finding Barnhart, who was arrested Friday evening. Police say officers had spotted him riding a bicycle in Spenard.

Police said Barnhart tried to flee from officers and hid in a field before being bitten by a police dog.

Given the death of the victim, additional charges might be filed in the case, police said. The victim's identity is expected to be released Thursday, pending notification of his family.

Laurel Andrews

Laurel Andrews was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch News and Alaska Dispatch. She left the ADN in October 2018.

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