Early this morning, a man and a woman were able to flee from an unidentified armed man who shot and wounded the fleeing man near mile 270 of the Parks Highway.

After making good their escape, the victims were able to call for help and report the shooting at 6:45 am.

The victims, both unidentified by the troopers, suffered injuries, the man was wounded at least once and the woman suffered injuries of an unknown nature. The man was transported to the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for treatment of his wounds and the woman was treated by the responding medical personnel but was not transported to medical facilities.

Troopers from Fairbanks and Palmer responded to the area, as did members of the Special Emergency Reaction Team.

Two checkpoints were set up along the highway at mile 267 and mile 276 of the Parks Highway. Clear Air Force Base personnel assisted in setting up the checkpoints. Motorists were cautioned not to stop, pick up any hitchhikers, and to report any suspicious activity to authorities at the next checkpoint.

At approximately 12 noon, state troopers encountered the armed suspect. Shots rang out and the armed man was shot and killed.

Travel on the Highway is now unrestricted.

All of the circumstances of the encounter are under investigation, and the armed suspect’s identity has not been revealed.