FPD Press Release - Shooting/Homicide - 3627 Airport Way
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Case 21-4197 - Shooting/Homicide – 3627 Airport Way
DATE: November 8, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Teal Soden, Communications Director, 907-459-6793, tsoden@fairbanks.us
On Sunday, November 7th, at approximately 6:42pm, Fairbanks Emergency Communication Center (FECC) received multiple 911 callers reporting shots fired at the West Fairbanks Safeway, 3627 Airport Way.
The first law enforcement officer arrived on scene at 6:47pm and began rendering aid to a male victim, age 41, who was unresponsive on the sidewalk in front of the South entrance to Safeway. More officers arrived on scene and entered the South entrance, where they located a 9mm semi-automatic handgun on the floor inside the entrance. Inside the store, officers found a second male victim, age 24, who had been shot in the foot. He was located behind the customer service desk. The second victim described the shooter as a heavy-set male wearing a plaid shirt.
Both victims were transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital (FMH). The 41-year-old victim was pronounced deceased, and the second victim was treated for his injuries.
At approximately 6:53pm, FECC received a call from JOSHUA ERIC BUTCHER (DOB 5/29/80), who stated that he was outside of FPD, that he had been at Safeway, and that officers could come out arrest him. He also stated that he would not answer questions without a lawyer present. Officers responded and detained BUTCHER, who matched the description of the suspect. BUTCHER was in possession of an empty gun holster and empty magazine holders.
Detectives processing the scene observed multiple firearm magazines and multiple spent and unspent 9mm rounds. While reviewing security camera footage of the incident, detectives observed the suspect approach the South entrance and shoot the first victim in the abdomen as he was exiting Safeway. The suspect then continued into Safeway and can be seen holding the firearm in his hand as he walked behind the registers heading North, before turning around and heading back out the entrance that he came in.
At this time, no motive for the shooting has been identified. The second victim has been released from FMH.
BUTCHER has been charged with Murder in the First Degree and has been booked at Fairbanks Correctional Center. This is an active investigation and FPD will be working the District Attorney’s office to determine if more charges should be filed.
Anyone with information regarding this case should contact Lt. Amy Davis at adavis@fairbanks.us or 907-450-6565. Updates regarding the shooting were put out on FPD’s social media, NIXLE alerts, and provided to multiple media outlets. To sign up for NIXLE alerts, visit www.nixle.com.
Thank you to University Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, North Pole Police Department, Airport Police Department, Fairbanks Fire Department, University Fire Department, Steese Fire Department, FECC, and Volunteers in Policing for your assistance with this incident.
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11/07/21 - Original Release
This evening, at approximately 6:42pm, Fairbanks Emergency Communication Center received several 911 calls reporting shots fired at the Safeway located at 3627 Airport Way. Callers reported that there was one shooter that was a male.
FPD officers and other area law enforcement agencies responded and located two victims that had been shot. Both were transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. One victim was pronounced deceased. The deceased victim’s identification will be released at a later time after next of kin are notified. The second victim is expected to survive.
Shortly after the shooting took place, a male suspect turned himself in at Fairbanks Police Department and requested an attorney.
Law enforcement is actively investigating and processing the scene. We ask that the public avoid the area. We will provide an update when law enforcement clears the scene.
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