Homicide; 4100-block Peterkin Avenue

Update on 11/26/2024:
From the Attorney General’s Office:

Nov. 19, 2024 (Anchorage, AK) – Today, Superior Court Judge Jack McKenna sentenced 27-year-old DeAnthony Harris to 80 years with 20 years suspended, for 60 years total of active jail time, for Harris’ role in the armed robbery and murders of Christopher and Danielle Brooks on Christmas Eve 2016. The State recommended a sentence of 100 years to serve with 20 years suspended, for a total 80 years of active jail time to serve with 10 years of probation to follow.

On the afternoon of Dec. 24, 2016, Savon Wiley orchestrated a robbery by luring Christopher Brooks back home under the guise of buying marijuana. Wiley’s accomplices, Lamarkus Mann, Jaylyn Franklin, and DeAnthony Harris, each armed with a firearm, entered the home of Christopher and Danielle Brooks to rob Christopher Brooks of marijuana and cash. Danielle Brooks’ five-year-old son was in the home. Shortly after entering the Brooks’ residence, all three men started firing their guns. Danielle Brooks was murdered inside the residence and Christopher Brooks was killed as he attempted to crawl out of the residence onto the exterior steps. The five-year-old boy told police “ninjas killed my parents.”

Franklin was sentenced in 2019 pursuant to a plea agreement to 100 years to serve with 20 years suspended, for a total 80 years of active jail time to serve. Mann and Wiley were sentenced in 2020 after trial in 2019. Mann was sentenced to 109 years to serve. Wiley was sentenced to 76 years to serve with 20 years suspended, for 56 years total of active jail time. Harris was the last remaining co-defendant to be sentenced.

Update on 8/13/2020:
From the Attorney General’s Office:

August 13, 2020 (Anchorage, AK) – Yesterday, August 12, 2020, Superior Court Judge Steve Cole sentenced 26-year-old Savon Wiley to 76 years with 20 years suspended, for a total 56 years of active jail time to serve with 10 years of probation, for Mr. Wiley’s role in the armed robbery and murders of Christopher and Danielle Brooks on December 24, 2016. Today, August 13, 2020, Judge Cole sentenced 26-year-old Lamarkus Mann to 109 years in prison for his role in the same armed robbery and murders. Mr. Wiley and Mr. Mann were found guilty by a trial jury on August 15, 2019. Mr. Wiley was subject to 15-99 years in custody on each count of Murder in the Second Degree, and 3-6 years on Robbery in the First Degree. Mr. Mann was subject to 30-99 years in custody on each count of Murder in the First Degree, plus 5-9 years on Robbery in the First Degree.

On the afternoon of December 24, 2016, Savon Wiley orchestrated a robbery by luring Christopher Brooks back home under the guise of buying marijuana. Mr. Wiley’s accomplices, Lamarkus Mann, Jaylyn Franklin, and DeAnthony Harris, each armed with a firearm, entered the home of Christopher and Danielle Brooks to rob Christopher Brooks of marijuana and cash. Danielle Brooks’ five-year-old son was in the home. Shortly after entering the Brooks’ residence, all three men started firing their guns. Danielle Brooks was murdered inside the residence and Christopher Brooks was killed as he attempted to crawl out of the residence onto the exterior steps. The five-year-old boy told police “Ninjas killed my parents.”

Update on 6/21/19:
From the Alaska Department of Law:

At a sentencing held June 19, 2019, Jaylyn Franklin, one of four defendants charged in a 2016 Christmas Eve double homicide, received a total sentence of 100 years for his role in the murder of an Anchorage couple.

Franklin, 22-years-old, originally faced charges of first degree murder, second degree murder, and armed robbery for his role in the shooting deaths of Christopher and Danielle Brooks at their residence on Peterkin Avenue. According to the charging documents, the victims’ young son allegedly witnessed some of the crime and told officers that “ninjas” had killed his family.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Franklin pleaded guilty to two counts of second degree murder and will serve 50 years with 10 years suspended on each count, to be served consecutively, with an additional 20 years of suspended time and 10 years of felony probation.

At the sentencing, a number of the victims’ family members made victim impact statements, speaking at length about the devastating effect the crimes have had on their families.

Trial for defendant Mann and a third defendant, Savon Wiley (allegedly involved in the home-invasion robbery but not present at the scene) is scheduled to begin July 8, 2019. A firm trial date for defendant Harris is not currently set.

Update on 12/27/2016:
Anchorage Police arrested Lamarkus Jayquann Mann at about 8 AM this morning after following up on several anonymous tips received by the Anchorage Crime Stopper program. Mann and one other person were believed to be inside a room at the Lakeshore Motel, located at the 3000 block of Lakeshore Drive in Spenard. Mann has been the subject of a city-wide search following his involvement in the double murder of Danielle and Christopher Brooks at the 4100 block of Peterkin Avenue on Christmas Eve.

Several police officers, along with APD SWAT surrounded the motel room Mann was believed to be in. Police ordered the occupants out of the motel; Mann emerged from the room and surrendered to police without incident.

Mann is currently being questioned at APD headquarters. The second person who was inside the hotel with Mann is also being questioned; their identity is being withheld at this time.

This is an active investigation; additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Update 12/25/16:
Anchorage Police responded to a shooting with multiple victims that occurred at a residence at the 4100 block of Peterkin Avenue at about 4 PM on December 24, 2016.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a male and a female who had been shot.  The victims have been identified as Danielle Brooks, 32, and Christopher Brooks, 38. Danielle Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene.  Christopher Brooks managed to exit the residence but collapsed outside; he was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later. A six-year-old child, who was inside the residence at the time of the shooting, told police that “Ninjas came to my home and killed my family.”  Family members now have custody of the boy.

Detectives worked throughout the evening and into the night piecing together the events that led to the shootings.  The investigation revealed that several men, who knew Christopher Brooks, planned on going to his residence with the intention of robbing the couple.  During the robbery, Lamarkus Jayquann Mann, 22, produced a gun and shot Danielle Brooks; a struggle over the gun ensued resulting in the shooting of Christopher Brooks.

The robbers fled the scene in a vehicle. During the investigation, detectives determined that Jaylyn Franklin was amongst the group that robbed the couple; he was taken into custody and charged with Murder, Robbery, Burglary, and Tampering with Evidence.   He is being held without bail at the Anchorage Jail.   Detectives are looking for Lamarkus Jayquann Mann who has a warrant for his arrest for Murder, Robbery and Burglary.  Mann is considered armed and dangerous; if you have information as to his whereabouts, call 911.

This case is still under investigation as detectives work to determine the identities of other persons involved in the two murders.  If you have information regarding this incident call Anchorage Police at 786-8900 or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward call Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or submit a tip at www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com

Original on 12/24/16:
Anchorage Police are investigating a homicide that occurred at the 4100 block of Peterkin Avenue at about 4 PM this afternoon. No suspect is in custody. This investigation is in the very early stages; additional information will be released as it becomes available.

 APD Case: 16-53628