Seventh person shot by Anchorage police appears in court for first time on murder charges

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The man accused of killing 48-year-old Carl Washington near a homeless encampment in downtown Anchorage this summer appeared in an Anchorage courtroom Wednesday.

According to police, 32-year-old Michael Alto shot Washington on August 22 near East Fifth Avenue and Karluk Street.

Alto entered the courtroom leaning on a walker and wearing a cast on his left arm.

Alto was appointed public defender and pleaded not guilty.

Anchorage police said Alto fled the scene of the murder in Washington last month on a bicycle.

APD released a photo of the suspect and asked the public for help in locating him.

The next day, APD responded to a weapons alert in the 200 block of North Post Road.

According to police, Alto fired at one of the officers, who returned fire, hitting Alto in both the upper and lower body. He was taken to a local hospital with suspected life-threatening injuries.

Alto was the seventh and youngest person shot by APD in a police-involved shooting this year. The officer who fired his weapon was later identified as Officer Ryan Kelley.

Neither officers nor civilians were injured during the arrest.

Alto is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree assault, two counts of third-degree assault and misconduct involving a weapon.

His bail was set at $250,000. His next court date is scheduled for November 13.

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