ANCHORAGE — A rural Alaska police officer shot Wednesday night was struck three times but managed to escape and help another witness.
Alaska State Trooper investigators said Chevak Police Chief Derrick McDonald continues to receive treatment for life-threatening injuries at an Anchorage hospital.
The shooter, 24-year-old Harold Paniyak, later killed himself.
Chevak is on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
McDonald responded to a call of an intoxicated man with a gun and spotted Paniyak on a boardwalk.
Troopers said Paniyak immediately fired a .357-caliber handgun at McDonald, and when the chief fell, shot him two more times.
McDonald and a witness were able to take shelter in the village Head Start building.
Troopers said Paniyak unsuccessfully attempted to get in the building, walked off and shot himself in front of another community member.
