5600-block Alora Loop
Update on February 15, 2023:
From the Attorney General’s Office
Today, 24-year-old Yurel Nichols was sentenced by Anchorage Superior Court Judge Jack McKenna to serve 35 years in prison for the first-degree murder of Paula Zorawski. Nichols pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on Oct. 19, 2022.
On Sept. 22, 2016, Nichols and his co-defendants Savon Berry, Michael Fitzgerald, Tommy Higgs III, and Alonzo Steward attempted a home-invasion robbery to steal marijuana and money. After Ms. Zorawski answered the door, she was shot and killed by Nichols. He and his co-defendants fled the scene, and Nichols was apprehended by police several weeks later in Texas.
By agreement, Nichols pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a sentence of 80 years with 45 years suspended. He will be placed on supervised felony probation for 10 years.
At sentencing, Judge McKenna accepted the agreement of the parties, noting that first-degree murder is “the most serious crime we have” and that the sentence was going to require Nichols to spend the bulk of the prime of his life incarcerated. He acknowledged the harm that Nichols’ conduct caused to Ms. Zorawski’s family.
Nichols is in the custody of the Alaska Department of Corrections.
Update on October 19, 2022:
From the Attorney General’s Office:
Today, 24-year-old Yurel Allen Nichols pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for the Sept. 22, 2016, robbery-murder of Paula Zorawski in Anchorage. Nichols is in the custody of the Department of Corrections without bail. Nichols is scheduled to be sentenced before the Anchorage Superior Court on Feb. 15, 2023.
Update on 9/29/16:
Today at about 12:30 PM, Alonzo Tofpi Steward turned himself in to police at APD headquarters.
Previous Release:
On September 22, 2016, Paula Zorawski, 40, was shot while answering the door of her home located on the 5600 block of Alora Street. Yesterday, she was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
On September 23, 2016, officers arrested Michael Fitzgerald and Tommy Hunter Higgs III, both 18, charging them each with Assault, Robbery, and Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance. They are both currently in custody at the Anchorage Jail. The District Attorney will amend their charges to include Murder 2.
On September 28, 2016, officers charged a third person in connection with the shooting. Savon Berry, 18, was taken into custody at his home located at the 600 block of W. 34th Avenue. He was charged with Assault, Robbery, and Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance and remanded to the Anchorage Jail. The District Attorney will amend his charges to include Murder 2.
Police are seeking a fourth person believed to be involved in the shooting. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Alonzo Tofpi Steward. Steward is a 19-year-old Black male, 5’9” tall, 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. If you have information as to the whereabouts of Alonzo Tofpi Steward, call Anchorage Police at 786-8900. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward call Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP (7867) or submit a tip at: www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com
Update on 9/23/16 at 4:00 p.m.:
Anchorage police have arrested and charged two suspects involved in a shooting that occurred late last night that has left one woman in critical condition. Police have charged 18-year-old Michael Patrick Fitzgerald with Assault 1 and Robbery 1. Additionally, 18-year-old Tommy Hunter Higgs has been charged with Assault 1, Robbery 1, and Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the fifth degree. Both suspects have been remanded to the Anchorage Jail with no bail. The female victim, a 40-year-old woman, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
This is an ongoing investigation, and police are looking for any additional information. If anyone has anything to report about any activity occurring near the area of Boniface Pkwy and E 4th Avenue prior to the shooting, please contact APD at 786-8900. To provide an anonymous crime tip please contact Anchorage Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or go online to www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com
Original Release:
Police were contacted just before 11:00 p.m. on September 22, 2016, reference a shooting at a residence on the 5600 block of Alora Loop. Officers and medics responded. A woman with a gunshot wound was located at the residence and transported to a local hospital where she remains in critical condition.
Police are continuing to investigate the shooting and no arrests or charges have been made at this time. Additional information will be provided as it comes available.
APD Case: 16-40073
