From the U.S. Attorney's Office on 2/11/20:

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Clint Registe, 38, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve 10 years in federal prison, after previously pleading guilty to illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. The federal charge stems from an investigation into the death of Brittney Sparks, who was killed by a gunshot wound on July 20, 2018.

According to court documents, on July 20, 2018, Registe shot the victim in the head while handling a Mak-90 rifle in his Anchorage apartment. Another resident of the building heard the shot and came inside Registe’s apartment to investigate. Registe told him to call 911 and said that he planned to turn himself in before fleeing the scene. Medics declared the victim dead on scene.

Investigators from the Anchorage Police Department searched Registe’s apartment and found the Mak-90 rifle as well as three semi-automatic pistols, one of which was stolen. Drugs and a substantial supply of ammunition and high capacity magazines were also recovered from the apartment. Registe was arrested on Sept. 11, 2018, and told detectives that he had accidentally shot the victim while they were cleaning the apartment.

Registe has prior felony convictions for assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm, and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. In imposing the 10 year sentence, Judge Burgess noted that Registe’s criminal history “involves guns, over and over and over again.” He explained that the sentence was necessary to protect the public, and that “to say that the defendant is dangerous would be an understatement.”

Registe currently faces additional charges in state court for Manslaughter and Murder in the Second Degree in connection with the victim’s death.

The Anchorage Police Department (APD) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation leading to successful prosecution of this case. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Klugman and Allison O’Leary.

This case was investigated as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. In November 2019, DOJ also announced the launch of Project Guardian, a nationwide strategic plan to reduce gun violence, which serves as a complementary effort to the success of PSN, and emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.

Update on 9/11/18:
A Crime Stoppers tip, and information developed through the investigative process, led Investigative Support Unit (ISU) Officers to the 2600-block of E 17th Avenue where they located Clint Registe walking through the neighborhood by himself. Registe was taken into custody without incident at 6:09 PM on September 11th. He was transported to the Anchorage Police Department for questioning. Afterwards he will be remanded at the Anchorage Jail on his Manslaughter warrant for the murder of Brittney Sparks on July 20, 2018.

Update on 9/6/18:
Homicide detectives have obtained an updated photo of suspect Clint Registe who has a felony arrest warrant for Manslaughter in regards to the homicide of Brittney Sparks. Registe's appearance has slightly changed from the original photo released (Photo #2).

Anyone with information regarding Registe's whereabouts is asked to call Dispatch at 3-1-1 (option #1). If you see Clint Registe, call 9-1-1. To remain anonymous, you may contact Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or online at www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com.

Update on 7/30/18:
Homicide detectives have obtained a felony arrest warrant for Manslaughter for Clint Registe in regards to the homicide of Brittney Sparks.

Anyone with information regarding Registe's location is asked to call Dispatch at 3-1-1 (option #1). To remain anonymous you may contact Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or online at www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com.

Update on 7/23/18:
Detectives are still looking to speak with Clint Registe or anyone who has information on his whereabouts.

Anyone with information should call 911 or Crimes Stoppers at 907-561-STOP to remain anonymous.

Update 7/21/18:
Detectives are looking for Clint Registe (36 years old). See attached photo.

He is a person of interest in this investigation and detectives would like to speak with him about what he knows.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call 911 or Crimes Stoppers at 907-561-STOP to remain anonymous.

The victim has been identified as Brittney Sparks (31 years old).

Original 7/20/18:
On 7/20/18 around 4:45 p.m., Dispatch received a report of an accidental shooting in the 600 block of North Hoyt Street.

Officers with the Patrol Division arrived and found a deceased adult female lying on the floor inside an apartment. She was shot in the upper body. Based on evidence at the scene, officers believe this shooting to be suspicious, not accidental, and have requested detectives with the Homicide Unit to investigate. Several people have been detained for questioning. There have been no arrests and there is no suspect/suspects information to release at this time.

Please avoid the area as officers conduct their investigation. The Crime Scene Van will be arriving in the area and there may be a possible road closure to accommodate.

Anyone with information about this investigation, including surveillance video, should call 911 or call Crime Stoppers at 907-561-STOP to remain anonymous.

APD Case: 18-29216