Jim Creek argument provokes knifing

MAT-SU — An argument among Jim Creek campers over the weekend left two hospitalized, including one who was stabbed, Alaska State Troopers report.

Troopers were called to the Jim Creek pavilion at 2:10 a.m. Sunday for a report of shots fired and a possible stabbing.

Upon arrival, they talked to nine people at the pavilion who were trying to leave, a troopers report of the incident says. That’s when they came across Matthew Splawn, 28, of Fort Richardson. Splawn was found to have a head injury from being kicked and punched, and was taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. Also while talking to the group of people, troopers found and seized four guns.

Trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters said shots had been fired and “my assumption would be that’s why the weapons were seized.”

At the pavilion, troopers also learned that Andrew Alonzo, 21, of Chugiak had been stabbed and taken to Mat-Su Regional before troopers arrived. Peters said AST did not receive the call to respond to Jim Creek until about an hour after Alonzo had been stabbed.

Also at the pavilion, troopers handed a summons to appear in court to Mitchell R. Lewis, 19, of Fort Richardson, for underage drinking.

After interviewing people at the pavilion, troopers moved on to Jim Creek to an area described in the AST report as “Party Island.” There, they interviewed four more people.

“All individuals stated alcohol was a key factor during the altercation,” the report says. “Investigation is still ongoing, but has revealed the altercation occurred between two large groups from separate campsites.”

So far, Peters said she has not been told if anyone has been charged in relation to the fight. Peters said she could not speak to the severity of Alonzo’s injuries.

According to the AST report, the knife used in the stabbing has not been found.

The stabbing is the second in recent weeks in the Valley. Early in the morning of March 2, Palmer Police got word of a stabbing outside of Klondike Mike’s in downtown Palmer.

Johnathan Robert William Gilliam, who claims in police affidavits he was acting in self-defense, was charged in that case with stabbing Richard Beck in the chest after an argument in the bar led to a fight outside.

Gilliam is next due in court April 11 with a trial date set for May 19.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiers-man.com or 352-2270.