Suspected burglars shot, killed

BIG LAKE -- Two Valley men are dead after a burglary in progress was interrupted by gunfire at the Big Lake Community Chapel near Mile 5 Big Lake Road. Alaska State Troopers were on the scene at the chapel near Fish Creek for about 17 hours Thursday after the early morning shooting.

Troopers have said that Phillip D. Mielke, 44, of Big Lake, interrupted a burglary in progress at the chapel and shot two suspected burglars. Troopers have not said whether the burglars were armed.

Christopher Lee Palmer, 32, of Big Lake, and Francis Marion Jones IV, 23, of Wasilla, are both dead from gunshot wounds. The shooting was called into 911 at 5:09 a.m. Thursday, according to AST Captain Dennis Casanovas of the Palmer post. Casanovas said he had no reason to believe that the call was not placed immediately after the shooting. A full investigation might take weeks, and troopers will forward their findings to state prosecutors who will decide whether or not to file charges in court, according to Casanovas.

"Rather than piecemeal out little pieces of information, we'll probably wait," Casanovas said.

Troopers searched for the second burglary suspect near the chapel but did not find him until a second 911 call came in at 12:15 p.m. A woman called from her home on Beaver Lake Road to request help for a man with gunshot wounds. Troopers and Mat-Su Borough EMS responded and found Jones dead at the woman's home. Troopers wrote that their preliminary finding is that Jones was the second burglary suspect.