Indictments handed down in Hatcher Pass shooting

WASILLA — An Anchorage grand jury has indicted three men allegedly involved in a kidnapping and assault case that left two Anchorage men abandoned and injured on the Palmer side of Hatcher Pass on Oct. 27.

Matthew Scharber, 34, was indicted on two counts of kidnapping, two counts of attempted murder and two counts each of assault in the first and third degree. Scharber also faces felony vehicle theft and misconduct involving a controlled substance charges in relation to the events in the case. Corey Sylva, 26, faces two counts kidnapping and four counts of assault in the third degree, and 23-year old Michael Elder was indicted on two counts of kidnapping and two counts of assault in the third degree.

The indictments stem from events beginning in Scharber’s apartment in the Mountain View neighborhood on Oct. 27. The men are allegedly involved with the assault of two brothers — 22-year-old Kevin Kirlin, and 23-year-old Keeton Kirlin.

According to police affidavits, the brothers arrived at Scharber’s Anchorage apartment looking for lost jewelry. The brothers stated they were then held at gunpoint, pistol-whipped, tied up and beaten by two men. According to reports, several hours later, police state the two were taken out of an apartment and loaded into their own vehicle. Investigators reported the back windows had been spray-painted black. Then the two were allegedly driven to Hatcher Pass.

According to court affidavits filed by investigating officers, after arriving at Hatcher Pass, one brother was shot in the thigh and abdomen, and the other in the arm and shoulder. The brothers, one handcuffed wearing only boxers and a T-shirt, told police they spent three hours on road during which time four vehicles passed them.

According to police, a passerby driving near Archangel Road spotted the two men lying on the road. Both had been shot multiple times but were conscious when troopers arrived around 5 a.m. Both were taken to Anchorage hospitals and treated for non life-threatening injuries, troopers stated in their original report.

Police report finding blood stains, cigarette butts and bullet casings in the snow near the place the brothers were located. Their stolen 2005 Subaru was recovered from the Tikahtnu Commons Target parking lot in Anchorage later in that same day.

Alaska State Troopers, with assistance of Anchorage Police Department’s SWAT and Western Alaska Alcohol and Narcotics Team executed a search warrant on Scharber’s residence around 6 p.m. Tuesday. During the search, officers allegedly found evidence relating to multiple crimes as well as a large amount of methamphetamine, a scale and related packaging materials.

Each defendant faces a sentencing range of five to 99 years in prison if convicted of kidnapping. Scharber and Sylva are scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 15. There is an outstanding arrest warrant for Elder. Anyone with information regarding to Elder’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Alaska State Troopers at 352-5401. Scharber and Sylva are each being held on $250,000 cash-corporate appearance, $100,000 cash performance and a requirement for a court approved third party custodian. A no-bail warrant has been issued for Elder.