Murder charged in Trapper Creek shooting

A Trapper Creek man is accused of killing a neighbor and shooting the neighbor's wife outside the couple's home Saturday night, Alaska State Troopers report.

Troopers say Jeremy Christopher Nelson, 37, has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and first-degree assault. Troopers and other law enforcement officials tracked Nelson to an area off Bradley Road and took him into custody early this morning.

Investigators are still trying to determine a motive, according to trooper spokeswoman Beth Ipsen. He knew the couple as neighbors, troopers said.

Verna and Robert Carey were shot outside their home, near Mile 115 of the Parks Highway, troopers said. Verna Carey, 58, made her way back inside and called 911 around 10:25 p.m., Ipsen said. Troopers were able to get her to medics waiting nearby. She was taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center for treatment of a gunshot wound.

Robert Carey, 66, was found dead in the driveway.

A number of law enforcement officers responded. Troopers used their helicopter, Helo 1, to search for the suspect. A Special Emergency Reaction Team that includes troopers and a Wasilla police officer was deployed. SERT is a tactical team called out for situations with a higher-than-normal degree of danger, according to troopers.

Troopers from Palmer and Talkeetna also responded. So did those with the Alaska Bureau of Highway Patrol, as well as a Palmer police officer with the bureau.

The suspect was taken into custody around 4:50 a.m.

Troopers' Alaska Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation. Troopers are looking at a variety of issues.

Fisherman's Choice Charters