Homicide; Aurora Paint Company at 3600 Arctic Boulevard

UPDATE--3:33PM--04/23/21
From the office of the Attorney General:

On April 22, 2021, thirty-one year-old Randall Igou was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth for Murder in the First Degree. Igou pleaded guilty on November 5, 2020 to the September 10, 2017 murder of Aurora Paint Company co-owner Gregory Gill.

At the sentencing hearing, the State presented video evidence that showed that Igou was at the Aurora Paint Company for less than two minutes. In those two minutes, Igou shot Mr. Gill, stole the business cash box, and calmly drove away in Mr. Gill’s car. Igou was arrested the next day in Cheney Lake, after he ran into the lake and dropped his gun and ammunition in the lake while fleeing police. Judge Aarseth also heard from Mr. Gill’s family who described him as a warm and loving man who enjoyed spending time with his family. The Judge heard how Mr. Gill would go out of his way to help others and give people a second chance. Igou made a statement and told Judge Aarseth that he was ashamed of himself, said that he committed the murder because of his drug use, and apologized to the Gill family.

Judge Aarseth sentenced Igou, a previously convicted felon, for the conviction of Murder in the First Degree to ninety-nine years to serve with thirty-four years suspended and placed him on probation for ten years. Judge Aarseth held that protection of the community, community condemnation, and isolation of Igou were critical factors in reaching this sentence. Judge Aarseth stressed that people must be able to feel safe living and working in their community.

Original--12:51PM-- 09/16/17
Randall Igou is the suspect in the Aurora Paint Company homicide investigation.
He’s currently in custody for stealing the victim’s vehicle.
He now faces additional charges of Murder 1, Murder 2 and Tampering with Physical Evidence.

The preliminary investigation found that on 9/10/17 around 7:40 a.m., Igou entered the business, shot Gregory Gill, and stole the business’ cash box along with Gill’s white 2006 Kia Optima. On 9/11/17 at 8:50 a.m., an employee discovered Gill shot in the head behind the front counter of the business and called 911. After officers apprehended Igou in Cheney Lake thanks to a tip from a Nixle alert, they discovered the missing cash box in the trunk of the Kia.

Surveillance video from the area helped detectives a great deal with this investigation along with the public.

9/13/17 Update:
The victim has been identified and next of kin notification has been made:
-Gregory Gill (65-years-old)

No additional details are being released at this time pending the investigation.

If you have any information, including surveillance video, about this investigation, please call APD Dispatch at 786-8900 (press “0” to speak with an operator). To remain anonymous you may contact Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or online at www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com.

9/12/17 Update:
Investigators are now investigating this case as a homicide.

Autopsy results will determine cause of death.

The adult male has been arrested and identified as Randall Igou (27-years-old).
He’s faces multiple charges including Vehicle Theft.
He is the suspect in the stolen vehicle locate and a person of interest in the homicide investigation.

9/11/17 Update:
At 11:46 a.m., Dispatch received a call about the white 2006 Kia Optima wanted in connection with the death investigation at Aurora Paint Company.

The caller stated they received the Nixle alert about the vehicle locate and believed it was at the intersection of Muldoon Road and Island Street.

When officers arrived at the intersection, the driver took off. The vehicle matched the description of the wanted vehicle in the death investigation. Officers followed the vehicle into a neighborhood in the 2400 block of Fox Hall Drive. The driver ditched the vehicle in a driveway and ran into the woods towards Cheney Lake Park. Officers followed the driver on foot down to the edge of Cheney Lake. The driver ran into the lake and officers requested the assistance from the Anchorage Fire Department due to the potential of a water rescue. Officers were able to pull the driver out of the water and took him into custody for questioning. He was not injured.

The vehicle locate has been cancelled for the Optima. It has been impounded as evidence.

The driver, an adult male, is considered a person of interest in the death investigation.

A portion of Cheney Lake Park will remain closed as officers, including a K-9 officer, search for evidence. Residents are asked to avoid the area.

Thank you to the person who called Dispatch after receiving the Nixle alert! It was a tremendous help and provided a big break in this investigation. It’s a great example of community policing, highlighting the partnership between police and the public. To receive Nixle alerts, you can sign up at https://local.nixle.com/register/

Original:
At 8:50 a.m., Dispatch received a call from an employee at Aurora Paint Company about a body inside the business.

When officers arrived, the employee said he arrived at the business, walked inside and found an adult male lying on the floor. The victim was declared deceased at the scene.

Investigators are looking for a white 2006 Kia Optima with the Alaska license plate of EZA-725. It's believed to have been at the business prior to the employee arriving to work this morning.

APD 17-37022