Homicide; 600-block N Flower Street
Update on 10/6/17:
From the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office:
On 10/6/17, an Anchorage jury convicted Lammar Burney and Jamal Townsend of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting of 15-year-old Precious Alex in Mountain View in 2014. Burney, 32, and Townsend, 28, were also convicted of second-degree assault for injuring a second person during the shooting and of second-degree weapons misconduct. Townsend was convicted of an additional count of first-degree weapons misconduct for a drive by shooting that took place ten days before the murder.
During the 24-day trial, the witnesses testified that Jamal Townsend had arranged for his girlfriend to purchase an ounce of marijuana from a family in Mountain View. After looking at the marijuana, Townsend believed that he had not received as much as he had paid for and went to the apartment of the family while armed with a 10mm pistol. Townsend got into a fistfight: when the fight ended, he returned to his girlfriend's car and fired seven shots at the apartment building while the residents were still standing in front.
On the evening of March 31, 2014, Townsend went to a party at the apartment where Burney and his girlfriend lived. According to witnesses, Townsend talked to Burney at the party: he was upset about the fight and felt that he had been robbed. At around 2:30 in the morning on April 1, Burney told his girlfriend that she needed to drive him and Townsend somewhere and told Townsend that they were leaving. All three got into the car, and Townsend gave directions on how to get to Mountain View. On the drive, Townsend passed what appeared to be a solid object to Burney in the back seat. When they reached North Flower Street, Townsend pointed out the apartment. After circling the block four times, Burney told his girlfriend to stop and got out. At 3:13 a.m., six gunshots struck the bedroom window of the apartment. Two shots struck 15-year-old Precious Alex, killing her. Another shot struck a second victim in the foot.
Police officers in the area had heard the gunshots and saw stopped the car. Underneath the front passenger seat, police recovered a .40 caliber pistol which was subsequently matched to shell casings and bullet fragments recovered from the murder scene.
The District Attorney's Office extended its appreciation to the officers and detectives Anchorage Police Department and the forensic scientists of the State of Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory for their assistance in the investigation. Superior Court Judge Jack Smith, who presided over the trial, will sentence the defendants on March 21, 2018. They face a sentencing range of twenty to ninety-nine years on the first-degree murder charge. Both defendants will be held without bail pending sentencing.
Update on 4/3/14:
Anchorage police have arrested and charged a third suspect involved in the shooting at a Mt. View residence on Tuesday, April 1, 2014. The shooting ultimately led to the death of a 15-year-old female. Police have arrested and charged 21-year-old Karlie West with one count of Murder 2 and one count of Assault 2. She was arrested and taken into police custody this evening without incident.
Police continue to investigate the shooting. Anyone with additional information is asked to call police at 786-8900 or can submit a tip anonymously by calling Anchorage Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP.
Update on 4/2/14:
Anchorage police have arrested and charged two suspects in connection with the shooting which occurred on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at a residence located on the 600 block of N Flower Street. The incident ultimately resulted in death of a 15-year-old female. Police have arrested and charged 28-year-old Lamar Burney and 24-year-old Jamal Townsend. They have each been charged with one count of Murder in the first degree, Murder in the second degree, Attempted Murder in the first degree and Assault in the second degree. APD Homicide Detectives continue to gather information referencing this incident and ask citizens with any information to call police at 786-8900.
Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation of criminal wrongdoing. All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty by a court of law.
Original on 4/1/14:
Anchorage police are investigating an early morning shooting at a residence in Mountain View, ultimately resulting in the death of a 15-year-old female. At 3:15 a.m. APD Dispatch received a report of a shooting that occurred at a residence located on the 600 block of N Flower Street. When police and medics responded they discovered a female juvenile inside the residence who had been shot. The victim was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased shortly thereafter. Next of kin have been notified. Police are investigating the shooting. Additional details will be provided as they come available.
Case 14-13192
