Anchorage Murder Caught On Surveillance, Suspect On The Run

 View Larger

On the evening of September 29, 2007, cops say that Jamaal Barras was attacked by two white men behind the F-Street Station pub in downtown Anchorage.

According to his adopted family, writing poetry and dreaming of becoming a famous director were just a few of 20-year-old Jamaal Barras' interests despite the series of hardships that life presented him.  They say that Jamaal was the only son of six children born to an addict mother, and was put up for adoption at an early age.  When he was 7 years old, cops say that a local reverend and his wife took Jamaal into their home, but felt that he did not fit well into their family and rescinded the adoption.

When Jamaal was 12, he moved in with a foster parent, Rita Barras, and for the first time was comfortable in a home environment.  Police say she grew to love Jamaal and officially adopted him a few years later. He was the eldest and the second adopted child of eight that Rita had brought into her home.  Jamaal enjoyed helping her run the house and taking care of household chores.   Rita had one biological son, Gregory, who was the oldest and the other children saw as a role model.   

Like most adolescents, Jamaal had some difficult years, but Rita says that he focused his energy on playing basketball, writing, and working with at-risk youth.  Jamaal spent a lot of his spare time working with the Boys and Girls Club where he taught kids how to play chess.   

Jamaal looked up to his older adopted brother, Gregory, and Rita says that after going through rough years of his own, Gregory joined the military, and the experience turned his life around. Family members say that Jamaal witnessed his brother's change and wanted to follow in his footsteps. Unfortunately, fate had a different plan for Jamaal.

Rita remembers that Jamaal began to feel unwell and subsequently sought medical attention.  Tragically, he was diagnosed with Leukemia.  His cancer could be treated with medication, but the prognosis interfered with his ability to join the military. Rita believes that the bad news led him into depression and rebellious behavior.  Jamaal had an argument with Rita and cops believe the quarrel almost left him homeless.  They say he got his act together shortly afterwards and Gregory helped him apply for college and Rita helped him get a small apartment. Just as Jamaal's life seemed to be improving, the unimaginable occurred.

Suspected Killer May Have Fled The Country

 View Larger

One of the suspected attackers, 25-year-old David Anderson, has since been arrested and is charged with murder.

On the evening of September 29, 2007, cops say that Jamaal was attacked by two white men behind the F-Street Station pub in downtown Anchorage.  They say that surveillance cameras show the two suspects attacking him with a metal rod and a baseball bat then running off.  In the video, a woman can be seen coming to Jamaal's aid.  Police arrived at the scene a short time later, and say that Jamaal held on as long as he could before succumbing to his injuries the following day. 

One of the attackers, 25-year-old David Anderson, has since been arrested and is charged with murder.  Police say he was caught fleeing the scene after a bouncer from the pub took him down.  The other suspect who is still at-large has been identified as 24-year-old Ariel Beau Patrick.  Police have reason to believe that Patrick is living in Guatemala.

- By Jonathan Bierner, AMW Staff