Update: Fairbanks Police Department investigates shooting

Photo Courtesy of FPD

Fairbanks, Alaska (KINY) – On Saturday, May 4, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Fairbanks Police Officers responded to the report of a shooting at the Big I, located at 122 N Turner Street in Fairbanks.

One adult male victim was transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for life-threatening injuries. On May 5, he passed away.

When FPD officers arrived in the area, they contacted 21-year-old Shamar Snipes and 26-year-old Sharif Makkar.

Makkar fled the area on foot and was pursued by two officers who caught up to him and detained him. He was later placed under arrest for a warrant and remanded to Fairbanks Correctional Center.

While Snipes was being detained, he admitted to having a gun on him. Snipes later agreed to speak to detectives and said that Makkar had been starting problems inside the bar with several people.

He also stated that when they went outside, Makkar instigated a fight with someone and that someone punched him, knocking him to the ground.

Snipes stated that at that point he (Snipes) pulled out a gun and started firing shots and admitted to shooting one person.

Snipes was arrested and remanded to Fairbanks Correctional Center on the charge of assault in the first degree.

FPD officers reviewed surveillance footage of the incident which showed Makkar starting a fight and then Snipes firing several shots in the parking lot and shooting the victim, who did not appear to be involved in the altercation.

Snipes and Makkar left on foot and then shortly returned to the parking lot where Makkar then fired several shots in the direction of people in the parking lot, as well as at several buildings and residences.

On May 5, Makkar was charged with misconduct involving weapons in the second degree, assault in the third degree, misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree, and disorderly conduct.

“Sadly, the victim passed away on the afternoon of Sunday, May 5th,” FPD said in a written statement. “Our hearts go out to his family and friends for their immense loss from this senseless act of violence.”

This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with additional information should contact FPD Detective Rob Hall at rhall@fairbanks.us or 907-450-6510.

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