Ian Ellison was a 48-year-old white male from Anchorage, Alaska. On the evening of July 4, 2018, he was shot in the lower body following a dispute over the ownership of a bicycle at Arctic Benson Park. The disagreement had escalated: what began as an argument with a man and woman over a bicycle drew in three other adults. Alcohol was believed to have been a factor. His injuries were initially regarded as minor.
Ellison was taken to a hospital after the shooting.
Some time after July 4, he succumbed to his injuries—his condition deteriorated and he died in hospital.
Investigators later identified a suspect in the shooting: 50-year-old Daren Barnhart. A warrant had been issued charging him with Misconduct Involving a Weapon, among other offenses. He also had an outstanding warrant related to failing to appear on a previous assault charge. After several days, on July 13 Barnhart was arrested. During the arrest, he suffered a dog bite wound on his arm and was held on suspicion of weapons misconduct, resisting arrest, and for the prior assault warrant.
