Homicide; 300-block W 4th Avenue

Update on 5/5/15:

Kenneth Moto was located by police earlier today.  He was remanded at the Anchorage Jail on his warrant.

Original on 4/28/14:
On Saturday, April 19, 2014, just after 3:00 a.m. an Anchorage Police Officer patrolling the downtown area made a stop on the 300 block of W 4th Avenue after being flagged down by a citizen regarding a male who was lying down on the sidewalk in front of the Panhandle Bar. The officer contacted the male on the ground and attempted to speak with the male about his condition. The male was not able to speak complete sentences and could not maintain a seated position without losing his balance.

Medics responded to the scene and the male was transported to a local hospital. On Sunday, it was reported to police that the male, identified as 36-year-old Daniel Stewart, was placed on life-support. Stewart was pronounced deceased on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at the local hospital.

Upon furthering investigating the incident, it was determined that Stewart had been assaulted by another male just before 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2014, on the 300 block of W 4th Avenue – along with two other victims. A preliminary investigation by police revealed that a male suspect, eventually identified as 39-year-old Kenneth Moto, was in a verbal and physical altercation with a female on the sidewalk in front of the Panhandle Bar. During the altercation, Moto struck two other victims including Stewart. Moto then left the scene on foot.

The first officer who responded on scene found Stewart and called for medics. When another officer arrived on scene, he noticed a female (the same one who had been involved in the altercation) who appeared to be intoxicated and with what appeared to be a facial injury. She was transported to ANMC for medical treatment; she had sustained a broken jaw from the assault.

Kenneth Moto has been charged with Manslaughter, Assault in the First Degree and Assault in the Fourth Degree. He has not been taken into police custody at this time. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call police immediately. The case remains under investigation and police are still trying to identify an unknown male victim in this assault.

The investigation also revealed that there were multiple witnesses to the assault who have not contacted police. Anyone with further information is asked to call police dispatch at 786-8900 or to submit a crime tip anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP.

Case: 14-15759