Autopsy to determine how man in 42-hour standoff died

Police Chief Chris Tolley told reporters that the body of Robert Musser was found early Friday morning after heavy equipment was brought in to tear down parts of the Anchorage home. Police have obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On Wednesday, a suspect in Anchorage, Alaska told a tree-cutting crew to get off of his property and then pointed a gun at them before moving it to the side and firing.

An autopsy will determine the cause of death for Robert Musser.

Police attempted to contact Musser by telephone but could not reach him.

Tolley said the department attempted to negotiate with him over the PA system, which was met with shouts, “yelling at officers to go away”, the chief said.

Police deployed gas at least three times on Wednesday; though officers made verbal contact with the suspect, he refused to come out.

Police say they man is likely armed and may be on drugs.

It’s unclear when Musser died or how but the last contact officers had with him was during a burst of gunfire shortly after noon on Thursday, according to police. Both had minor injuries. Six officers returned fire, but it was unknown if Musser was hurt. The body was found after more of the house was torn down. Musser stuck his head out the window at that point and a short time later starting cursing and yelling at officers.

Because six officers discharged their weapons, the case is considered an officer-involved shooting and will be examined by the Office of Special Prosecutions. Authorities will investigate to determine whether lethal force was justified.

Police wrote in a statement that two officers were injured when the suspect opened fired: one officer was treated at the scene, where an armed man has barricaded himself in his home.

In the second incident, police Thursday afternoon with help from the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested 29-year-old Joseph Szajkowski on assault and kidnapping charges.