UPDATE as of 3:10 p.m.:
Both lanes of the Sterling are now open, according to an update shared by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management at 2:52 p.m. on Monday.
OEM said via Facebook that Herrick was last seen wearing a black do-rag on his head, a black T-shirt and a long black leather jacket.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District said in an update shared at around 2:55 p.m. on Facebook that Chapman Elementary School is working with law enforcement and that the school’s principal is contacting families directly. Students who live in the Anchor Point area and attend Homer-area schools and schools north of Anchor Point will be released to their parents, the update said. Communications were being developed to be sent to those families.
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ORIGINAL POST:
Alaska State Troopers were looking for 60-year-old Bret Herrick, of Anchor Point, as of about 2:40 p.m. Monday in connection with the shooting of an Alaska State Trooper in downtown Anchor Point, according to a dispatch from the Alaska State Troopers.
The trooper was assigned to Anchor Point and was shot in the downtown Anchor Point area at about 1 p.m., the dispatch said.
According to the dispatch, Herrick is considered armed and dangerous. People who see Herrick or who have information about his current location are advised not to approach him and to call 911 immediately, the dispatch said.
The injured trooper is receiving medical care at an area hospital, the dispatch said. His condition is unknown.
People are being asked to avoid the Anchor Point area near Mile 156.5 of the Sterling Highway in response to the shooting, according to an alert issued by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management Monday afternoon.
Acting Emergency Manager for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Brenda Ahlberg confirmed Monday at around 2:15 p.m. that dispatch asked OEM to issue an emergency alert regarding the situation “out of precaution.”
“Life safety situation in the area of Mile 156.5 Sterling Highway. Stay away from area,” the alert said. “Emergency response to firearm shooting in area and active State Trooper investigation. Prolonged traffic delay is expected. Adhere to detour directions. Please avoid the area and remain in your homes until the situation is resolved.”
Ahlberg also said that Chapman Elementary School, in Anchor Point, was on lockdown.
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Communications Director Pegge Erkeneff said Monday at around 2:30 p.m. that Chapman Elementary School is in a “stay put” status until further notice. Children and staff are safe, Erkeneff said, but parents are advised not to go to school until further notice.
“It’s an active situation,” Erkeneff said via text. “We will provide updated information when known.”
This is a developing story.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
