On May 29, 2016, 19-year-old Janet Barragan attended a large party on Drake Street near the University of Alaska Fairbanks. During the early hours, an altercation occurred, leading to gunfire. A bullet struck Janet in the neck, causing critical injuries. She was initially treated at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital before being transported to Providence Medical Center in Anchorage, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation identified 17-year-old Lewis Tyshawn Harvin as the shooter. Harvin had fired into the crowd, attempting to target another individual, but instead hit Janet. He fled the scene but was later apprehended in Anchorage. Initially charged with first and second-degree murder, Harvin eventually pleaded guilty to second-degree murder as part of a plea agreement. In January 2019, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
This tragic incident highlights the devastating impact of gun violence on individuals and communities. Janet's untimely death serves as a somber reminder of the need for effective measures to prevent such tragedies and ensure justice for victims and their families.
