Two people were killed and two were seriously wounded during a shooting at a home in a remote Inupiat whaling village on Alaska’s northwest coast. The incident took place in Point Hope, a small community that was left shaken by the tragic event. A 16-year-old boy is currently in custody in connection with the shooting.
According to reports, the teenage suspect has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree attempted murder. State law allows minors 16 and older to be tried in adult court on murder charges. The suspect turned himself in at the local police station, accompanied by his father, shortly after the incident.
Police officers from the North Slope Borough Police Department responded to the home late Sunday night and found a man and a woman dead, along with two wounded men. All four individuals appeared to have been shot. Witnesses reported seeing the boy enter the home and start shooting before leaving with a handgun.
While officials have assured that there is no ongoing risk to the community, details about the shooting remain scarce. The local school was closed on Monday following the incident. Both village and tribal offices in Point Hope did not provide any information when contacted.
Point Hope, with a population of about 675, is situated on a triangular spit surrounded by a large inlet and the Chukchi Sea and Arctic Ocean. The area has a rich history, with some of its earliest residents engaging in bowhead whaling over 2,000 years ago. The peninsula where Point Hope is located is one of the longest continually inhabited areas of North America.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy expressed his condolences for the families and residents affected by the tragedy. He emphasized the need for healing and justice in the wake of the senseless act. The North Slope Borough also issued a statement on social media, highlighting the community's commitment to coming together to support one another during this difficult time.
Point Hope's remote location, about 700 miles northwest of Anchorage, adds to the challenges faced by authorities investigating the shooting. The village's proximity to Russia, across the Chukchi Sea, underscores its unique position in the Alaskan landscape.
