Crime & Courts

Man killed in home break-in likely planned to steal drugs and cash, police say

Police believe a home invasion and fatal shooting in South Anchorage Thursday morning was drug-related, and that the victim planned with others to rob the home.

The Anchorage Police Department said in a release that the investigation into the death is continuing. The release identified the victim of the shooting at a home on Orchard Place as 30-year-old Loren Douglas. Douglas' family has been told about his death, police said.

Douglas and an unspecified number of accomplices "appeared" to be planning to rob the home of drugs and money, police said.

"There were three occupants inside of the home all under the age of 18. Douglas and his accomplice(s) made entry into the home and shots were fired resulting in the death of Douglas," the release says.

Evidence and witness statements suggested to officers that a home invasion had occurred, said APD spokeswoman Jennifer Castro.

One of the underage occupants called police just after 4:30 a.m. to report the alleged robbery and shooting. Police and medics responded and found Douglas outside the home with gunshot wounds. Medics pronounced him dead at the scene, the release says.

During the initial investigation, the occupants were cooperative with police. Police say they seized drugs found inside the home.

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Castro said "various amounts" of what police think are four illegal drug types were seized from the home. She said the substances still have to be tested.

"Police believe Douglas had at least one accomplice who fled the scene following the shooting. Other evidence at the scene suggests that an accomplice may have suffered a head injury as a result of the incident," the release says.

Anchorage District Attorney Clint Campion said his office hasn't made any decisions about whether to charge the occupants of the home. Components of the investigation are being examined by police, he said.

Campion noted that as the occupants are minors, it's possible that if charges resulted from the shooting or drugs, subsequent proceedings would be confidential under state law.

Anyone with additional information about the accomplices or the incident is asked to contact APD Detective James Estes at 907-786-8572, or to provide an anonymous tips through Anchorage Crimestoppers at 561-STOP or its website.

Jerzy Shedlock

Jerzy Shedlock is a former reporter for Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2017.

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