Republished April 06, 2017 - 4:27 PM
Original Publication Date April 06, 2017 - 1:20 PM
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Latest on the closure of the Seward Highway (all times local):
3:30 p.m.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man suspected of firing shots south of Anchorage, leading law enforcement officers to close the Seward Highway for more than 12 hours.
Alaska State Troopers are seeking 36-year-old Kevin Thibodeau on a warrant charging him with assault and weapons misconduct.
Troopers just before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday took a report of an armed man near Beluga Point. As troopers and police approached the popular pullout at the point, the man fired a handgun.
Troopers and police closed the highway in response.
Troopers brought in a SWAT team and officers Thursday morning began a ground search.
Thibodeau could not be found.
The Seward Highway was reopened at just before 9:30 a.m.
Troopers say people with information about Thibodeu's location should call them or Anchorage police.
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12:15 p.m.
The Seward Highway just south of Anchorage is open again.
The highway to the Kenai Peninsula was closed by Anchorage police Wednesday night as they responded to reports of a distraught, armed man.
Police say the man fired shots and threatened another person.
Police closed the highway between Beluga Point and McHugh Creek.
Anchorage television station KTUU (http://bit.ly/2o0faH8) reports the highway reopened late Thursday morning but police have not released details on the whereabouts of the armed man.
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7:30 a.m.
The only highway connecting Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula continues to be closed as Anchorage police deal with a man with a gun.
Anchorage police just before 9:30 p.m. Wednesday announced they were closing the Seward Highway because of a distraught, armed man who had fired shots and threatened another person.
The highway remained closed through 5 a.m. Thursday between McHugh Creek and Beluga Point.
Police and Alaska State Trooper SWAT teams are positioned at Mile 110 Seward Highway.
The closure is between Anchorage and Girdwood. A spokeswoman for the Anchorage School District says Girdwood Elementary School will open as usual but there will be no bus service because of the closure.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017