Anchorage man dies weeks after he was shot in head

A 22-year-old man who was on life support after being shot in the head outside an East Anchorage apartment complex in January has died of his injuries, police said Wednesday. Jermaine Twiley died Sunday at an Anchorage hospital, Jennifer Castro, police spokeswoman, said in an email. Twiley's mother, Dana Twiley, said in a phone interview from Chicago that the family took Twiley off life support about three weeks ago. The shooting occurred on Jan. 7 in the 3400 block of Thompson Avenue in Mountain View. Detectives have charged Talon Draper, 19, with one felony count of first-degree assault in the shooting. Draper claimed he was trying to protect others when he shot Twiley, police said. Draper told police he picked up a rifle and opened his door after hearing Twiley and a woman fighting in the apartment next door. Dana Twiley said the woman was Twiley's girlfriend and the mother of his one-year-old son. Draper told police he saw Twiley running away and told him to stop, because he feared for the safety of those involved in the domestic fight, according to an earlier statement from Castro. Draper then told police said he fired his rifle after he saw Twiley reach down with his hands, Castro said. Detectives are investigating the case. It was not immediately clear how Twiley's death would affect the charges against Draper. Dana Twiley, who spent the last month in the hospital with her son, said she and her family are still searching for answers. "I still don't understand why that boy did this," Dana Twiley said. "I'm still not getting that. I guess it'll all come out at trial." CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES ON THIS DEVELOPING STORY. Reach Devin Kelly at dkelly@adn.com or 257-4314. Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2014/02/19/3334755/anchorage-man-dies-weeks-after.html#storylink=cpy