A Fairbanks man is dead following a hatchet attack at a local bar. Fairbanks Police report that 54-year-old Mark Allen Mitchell died Monday morning following the attack last night at Club Manchu. Police spokeswoman Yumi McCullough said its unclear what motivated the suspect, 49-year-old Brett Matthew Gilbert.
”The initial investigation video surveillance show that without any warning or provocation inside the Club Manchu, the suspect struck the victim in the side of the neck and he fell to the floor,” McCullough said. “The suspect continued to strike him several times in the face and neck with the hatchet.”
McCullough said the attack was halted by another person, and Gilbert fled the bar. He was later taken into custody without incident at his home and is charged with first degree murder. She said it’s unclear if there’s any connection between Gilbert and Mitchell, and if drugs or alcohol played a role in the attack.
This is the 7th murder in Fairbanks so far this year.
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
