Homicide; 1700-block E 59th Avenue

Update 11/13/2025

From the Attorney General’s Office:

Nov. 13, 2025 (Anchorage, AK) – Today, an Anchorage jury returned guilty verdicts against Dustin Perry, 34, for Murder in the First Degree and Murder in the Second Degree for shooting and killing Clayton Martinelli, 47, on April 5, 2021. 

The evidence produced at trial showed that the two were neighbors and engaged in a noise dispute.  Perry was asked to move out by the landlord because of repeated noise complaints.  Perry was engaged in vulgar and offensive name-calling and threatened Martinelli and his family, beginning a little after 2 a.m. on April 5.  When Martinelli confronted Perry at 3:41 a.m. over Perry’s ongoing behavior that evening, Perry produced a Soviet-style Mini Draco pistol and shot Martinelli in the head.  Much of the evening precipitating the shooting was caught on Perry’s home surveillance system.  After viewing the evidence, the jury rejected Perry’s claims of self-defense and defense of premises and found him guilty of the crimes charged.

During the trial, Perry pleaded no contest to an associated charge of Misconduct Involving a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, for being intoxicated while possessing the weapon.  He also pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor charges of violating conditions of release, as he was out of custody and on bail release in three separate misdemeanor cases at the time of the shooting. 

Perry was remanded into custody following the jury’s verdict.  Sentencing is scheduled for March 16, 2026.  Perry faces a sentencing range of 30 years to 99 years for the highest charges. 

Anchorage District Attorney Brittany Dunlop tried the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Josh Diaz and Paralegal Kimberly Smith.  The Anchorage Police Department Homicide Unit investigated the case.

Update---4/23/21---8:20 a.m.:
From the Alaska Department of Law:
April 23, 2021 (Anchorage, AK) – On April 22, 2021, an Anchorage grand jury indicted 29-year-old Dustin Allen Perry (“Perry”) for killing Clayton Martinelli on April 5, 2021, outside of a Midtown four-plex. Perry was indicted on one count of murder in the first degree and one count of murder in the second degree. Perry was also charged with misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree and three counts of violating conditions of release for misdemeanor charges.

The violating conditions of release charges stem from three separate Municipality of Anchorage (“Municipality”) cases where Perry was released on bail. In case no. 3AN-18-00727CR, the Municipality charged Perry with assault. In 3AN-20-00038CR, the Municipality charged Perry with disobeying a lawful order of a public officer, resisting arrest and violating conditions of release. In 3AN-20-06712CR, the Municipality initially charged Perry with assault, disorderly conduct and three counts of violating conditions of release.

If convicted at trial, the Perry face sentences of up to 99 years’ imprisonment for each of the murder charges, up to 1 year for misconduct involving weapons charge and up to 90 days for each of the violating conditions of release charges.

These charges are only allegations and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Perry is currently in the custody with the Department of Corrections. Perry will be arraigned before the Superior Court in Anchorage on April 26, 2021.

Update--4/6/21--8:51 AM
Correction-The victim's name is Clayton Martinelli.

Update—4/06/21—8:27 AM
The victim has been identified as 47-year-old Clayton Martinell. Next-of-kin notification procedures have been completed.

Update--04/05/21--7:35 PM
The suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Dustin Perry. Perry faces charges for Murder II and multiple charges of violating conditions of his release.

Original--04/05/21--5:45 AM
On 04/05/21 at 3:40 AM, Officers with the Patrol Division responded to the 1700-block of E 59th Avenue in reference to a disturbance.

Upon arrival, officers located one adult male victim outside shot in the upper body. He was declared deceased at the scene. The circumstances are under investigation, but this case is being investigated as a homicide. The APD Crime Scene Team and Detectives have responded and will be conducting a thorough investigation.

Detectives believe they have made contact with everyone involved. This appears to be an isolated incident and no one is outstanding.

Officers will be in the area for an extended period of time. There are no road closures.

Anyone with surveillance footage from the area or other information regarding this investigation who has not yet spoken to police is asked to call Police Dispatch at 3-1-1 (option #1). To leave an anonymous tip, please contact Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or AnchorageCrimeStoppers.com

The victim's identity will be released pending next-of-kin procedures.

APD Case 21-10667