Alaska State Trooper Shot In Anchor Point; Search On For Armed Suspect

An Alaska State Trooper was shot in downtown Anchor Point on Monday afternoon and authorities still searching for the suspect who is considered “armed and dangerous.”

In a statement, Alaska Department of Public Safety said the injured trooper has been transported to a nearby hospital and as of late Monday afternoon is “in fair condition.” The statement added new details about 60-year-old Anchor Point resident Bret Herrick, whom officials are looking for in connection with the shooting.

Herrick was reportedly last seen “wearing work boots, dark pants, knee-length leather trench coat, black tee-shirt, and a black do-rag on his head.” The notice said Herrick has brown eyes, approximately 5’10”, and is “200 pounds bald.”

Following the shooting incident, troopers requested the public to stay out of the Anchor Point area while the search continues, the Anchorage Daily News reported. Authorities also asked to avoid hitchhikers in the area.

As part of the precautions after the shooting, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District said in a Facebook post around 3:00 p.m. that the Chapman School in Anchor Point was placed in a “stay put” mode. The school principal contacted families of students directly to discuss safety measures.

By 5:00 p.m., the post was updated by the KPBSD, stating that the “standby” mode will “be prolonged until the suspect is apprehended.” The KPBSD has also cooperated with families to get students going to school in Homer into their homes.

(This is a developing story and will be udpated when new details are available.)