Two people are dead and another was injured during an incident that unfolded early Thursday morning in the Southwest Alaska village of New Stuyahok, according to Alaska State Troopers.
The incident is under investigation as a homicide, suicide and assault, troopers said in an online report. New Stuyahok residents 23-year-old Devin Andrew and 31-year-old Jamie Acovak are dead.
The investigation revealed that Andrew shot Acovak with a small-caliber rifle, according to troopers spokesman Tim Despain.
Andrew then fled to his home where troopers later contacted him, troopers said. Shortly after troopers arrived at his home, Andrew shot himself and died from the gunshot wound, Despain said.
The violence was initially reported to troopers at about 5:38 a.m Thursday as an assault involving New Stuyahok resident Marcus Wyagon, 29, and Andrew, troopers said. At that time, Wyagon was reported to be at a local clinic for treatment of his injuries, troopers wrote.
A village police officer later told troopers that Acovak was found unresponsive at Wyagon’s residence with visible serious injuries, troopers said. A health aide later responded to the scene and confirmed that Acovak had died, troopers said.
At 9:30 that morning, Alaska State Troopers from Dillingham arrived in New Stuyahok, troopers said. They were then told that Andrew was spotted entering his home when they arrived, troopers said.
Troopers went to Andrew’s residence and made verbal contact with him through the door, troopers said. They soon heard the sound of a gunshot from inside the home and so they entered Andrew’s residence, troopers said. Andrew, who had a life-threatening gunshot wound, was lying on the floor, troopers said. Troopers and health aides administered life-saving efforts but Andrew died.
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is overseeing the case, troopers said. The bodies of Acovak and Andrew will be taken to the Alaska State Medical Examiner Office for autopsy, troopers said.
Wyagon’s injuries and the circumstances prior to the incident are still being investigated, Despain said, but troopers believe the violence was an isolated incident and are not looking for anyone in connection to the case.
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