Trapper Creek man killed by gunman

A Trapper Creek man was killed and his wife wounded when a gunman opened fire on the elderly couple on Saturday night outside their residence in Trapper Creek.

While circumstances are still under investigation, troopers said that Trapper Creek resident Jeremy Nelson shot and killed sixty-six year old Robert Carey in front of his house. Nelson also shot at Carey’s wife Verna and wounded her.

Verna Carey managed to call the Alaska State Troopers. They found Robert Carey dead in his driveway in front of his house and took his injured wife from the residence to an ambulance. She was transported to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

Troopers responded with a Special Emergency Reaction Team and Helo One. After more than six hours they managed to arrest the suspect not far from the shooting scene. At 4:50 a.m. Nelson was taken into custody. He was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and first degree assault. He was taken to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility and is held without bail. Nelson’s arraignment is set for Monday, January 24th at 1p.m. in Palmer court.