Two people are dead after a shooter reportedly opened fire at a Walmart in Anchorage, Alaska, on Sunday evening. A Facebook post from the Anchorage Police Department confirmed that an adult male and an adult female, who have yet to be identified, were found dead at the scene.
A firearm was also found, the police stated, but the department made it clear that "the circumstances of the incident are under investigation." It was, however, likely "an isolated incident," the department continued. Footage on social media shows several police and emergency vehicles outside the supermarket, with cops cordoning off the scene.
"Police have the whole scene over at Walmart," said a person, who posted a video of the area on Facebook. "Blocked off the whole entrance." No arrests have yet been made, and it is unclear whether the department has a suspect in the fatal incident. "This is an active investigation," it stated.
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The shooting reportedly broke out at 5:11 p.m. local time in the parking lot of the Walmart located in the Dimond Center near the south side of the city. The original Facebook post stated that the police had responded to reports of shots fired at the scene and asked residents to "avoid the area" as they investigated.
In an updated Facebook post, the Anchorage Police Department said: "At 5:11 PM on November 19, 2023, Anchorage Police swing shift officers responded to the Dimond Walmart parking lot in response to reports of a shooting.
"When officers arrived, they found a deceased adult female and a deceased adult male. Officers also located a firearm at the scene. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation, but Officers have cause to believe this is an isolated incident. There have been no arrests at this time, and this is an active investigation."
A Crime Scene Team was called to the scene, and talks of a drone being used in the investigation also circulated. No roads were closed, but the encouragement to avoid the area was strong.
The two individuals found with gunshot wounds died at the scene, Sean Keating, an officer and crime scene team leader, told reporters at the scene, the Anchorage Daily News reported. He confirmed that it was one man and one woman. The latest update on the incident was provided at 9 p.m. local time on Sunday (1 a.m. ET).
As the police search for a suspect, they implore anyone with information on the incident to call into Police Dispatch at 3-1-1 and select option 1 or by dialing 907-786-8900 and selecting option 0.
Keating added that it was fortunate no one else got hurt in the shooting, which he said occurred in a "populated" area right outside the shopping center's main entrance. "It's just insane," he said, adding that the department is desperately searching for any surveillance footage it can find, which can also be provided after calling the aforementioned numbers.
The Walmart in question evacuated and closed for the day, the Anchorage Daily News reported. The scene was expected to remain a hotbed of police activity for several hours, according to Keating, and it remained unclear when it would reopen and be deemed safe for customers and pedestrians.
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