ANCHORAGE (AP) — Anchorage police say the gun used in the shooting of an officer over the weekend has been linked to five killings in Alaska’s biggest city this year.
Police on Tuesday identified the man who shot officer Arn Salao on Saturday as 40-year-old James Dale Ritchie. Salao, who remains hospitalized, had been responding to a report of a man who refused to pay cab fare.
Police say Salao tried to stop Ritchie and Ritchie began shooting. Salao returned fire and another officer who arrived on scene, Sgt. Marc Patzke, did, too. Police say officers tried to provide aid to Ritchie, who died at the scene.
Police say they have linked the gun used by Ritchie to five killings this year and have asked for the public’s help in learning more about Ritchie.
