Raymond Pointer Charged in Eagle River Shooting

UPDATE on November 26, 2024:

From the US Attorney General’s Office:

Nov. 25, 2024 (Anchorage, AK) – An Anchorage jury convicted 53-year-old Raymond Charles Pointer of three counts of Assault in the First Degree, two counts of Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Second Degree, and one count of Reckless Endangerment on Nov. 15.

At trial, the evidence showed that in November 2023, Pointer stayed in an RV on Lance Bourgeois’ property in Eagle River. After Bourgeois, 38, found that Pointer was stealing from him, Pointer was asked to leave. Pointer and Bourgeois had a verbal argument that escalated to a fistfight. The next day, Pointer returned to Bourgeois’ house asking him to take a walk into the woods and talk. Bourgeois had two guests and refused to talk to Pointer but instead he made a list of stolen items. After Bourgeois stepped out and provided Pointer with the list, Pointer fired four shots at Bourgeois, causing multiple injuries, including damaging the femoral artery on Bourgeois’ leg. Bourgeois survived the shooting. At trial, the evidence showed that Pointer was not justified to use self-defense when he discharged a 38-caliber firearm at Bourgeois.

Superior Court Judge Jack R. McKeena presided over the trial. Sentencing is scheduled for April 4, 2025. Pointer faces up to 21 years of imprisonment. This case was investigated by Anchorage Police Department Detective Michael Wisel; paralegals Aryel Dilley and Kimberly Smith assisted with the trial.

ORIGINAL:
At 2:11 PM on November 12, 2023, Anchorage Police responded to the 18300-block of North Fire Lake Avenue in Eagle River regarding a shooting. Upon arrival officers located the adult male victim who had at least one gunshot wound to the lower body.  He was being aided by others who were in the home at the time of the incident.  The victim was transported to the hospital by AFD medics for treatment of his non-life-threatening injuries.

Initial indications are that 52-year-old Raymond C. Pointer initiated a confrontation with the adult male victim outside the victim’s house. During the exchange, Pointer produced a weapon and fired it more than once, striking the victim.  At least one bullet entered the victim’s residence through a window.  There were other adults inside the home at the time; none of them were injured.

Pointer was contacted by police at the scene.  He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Anchorage Police Department for questioning by detectives.  Afterwards Raymond Pointer was remanded at the Anchorage jail on the charges of Assault I and Reckless Endangerment. 

The suspect and victim were known to one another.  The motive behind the argument and subsequent shooting are still under investigation.

APD Case 23-36810

For information on how to obtain the criminal history of any Alaskan, you may do so online via Court View on the State’s website