Homicide; Brother Francis Shelter at 1021 E 3rd Avenue

Update:
Next of kin procedures are complete. The victim has been identified as 59-year-old Veronique Long.

Update 4/29/19:
This case is now being investigated as a homicide.

Next of kin procedures are still being completed.

UPDATE at 1:40 AM on 4/27/19:
The victim's condition worsened; she passed away at the hospital from her injuries.  Her identity will be released once next-of-kin notification procedures have been completed.

As with any criminal case, the prosecutor has the authority to delete, amend, or add to the existing charges as deemed necessary.

ORIGINAL on 4/26/19:
At 11:50 AM on Friday, April 26, 2019, a black Pontiac was reported as stolen to APD.  The car had been left unoccupied, with the keys inside, parked in front of Cash America in Mountain View when it was taken.

At 4:39 PM APD responded to the Brother Francis Shelter in regards to an injury collision.  Initial indications are that 23-year-old Duop Tharjiath was sitting in the stolen Pontiac in the parking lot of the shelter when he put the car in reverse, hit the gas pedal, and ran over an adult female in the parking lot. The car also glanced off the body of an adult male she was with.  Tharjiath then put the car in drive and crashed into a Connex.  Officers arrived quickly thereafter and took Tharjiath into custody.

The adult female was transported to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.  The adult male was not injured and refused medics.  It appears the crash was intentional; the motive is still under investigation. There is no indication that Tharjiath knew either person that he hit.  The two victims were patrons at Brother Francis.  It is unknown why Tharjiath was in the parking lot.

Tharjiath was not injured. There is no indication of alcohol or drugs being a factor at this time.  Tharjiath was incarcerated at the Anchorage Jail and charged with Assault I, Assault III, Vehicle Theft I, Theft II, Reckless Endangerment, and Violation of Conditions of Release.

APD Cases 19-146471 and 19-14672