UPDATE: Woman identified in Saturday vehicle homicide, APD reports
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APD identified the victim in Saturday's vehicle homicide outside of the Brother Francis Shelter. Her name is 59-year-old Veronique Long.
Police said Monday that the accident is being investigated as a homicide.
Online court records for Duop Tharjiath indicate he's been charged with Manslaughter and was arraigned Sunday afternoon with the new charges. His next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Authorities say a black Pontiac was reported as stolen to Anchorage Police Department at 11:50 a.m. on Friday, April 26- after the car was left unoccupied, with the keys inside, in front of Cash America Pawn in Mountain View.
At 4:39 p.m. that afternoon, APD responded to the Brother Francis Shelter in regards to an injury collision. Police say 23-year-old Duop Tharjiath was inside the stolen Pontiac, in the parking lot of the shelter. He put the car in reverse and ran over a woman in the parking lot, also glancing off of her male companion. Tharjiath put the car in drive and crashed into a Connex. Officers then arrived, taking Tharjiath into custody.
The woman was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. She passed away at the hospital from her injuries. Her identity has not been released.
Investigators say it appears the crash was intentional; however, the motive is still under investigation. There is no indication that Tharjiath knew either person that he hit.
Tharjiath was not injured. There is no indication of alcohol or drugs being a factor at this time. Tharjiath is being held at Anchorage Jail, charged with Assault I, Assault III, Vehicle Theft I, Theft II, Reckless Endangerment, and Violation of Conditions of Release.