A Shungnak man has been charged with first-degree assault after a nonlethal shooting early Sunday, Oct. 25. Alaska State Troopers arrested 23-year-old Jacob Foster.
According to court documents, the victim went to check on his sister at Foster’s cabin. As he approached the door, the victim told troopers he heard Foster’s voice and saw four to five flashes of gunfire.
The victim ran but was shot in the right arm and grazed on the rib cage. Troopers said he was medevaced to Kotzebue and that his injuries were not life-threatening. The victim told troopers he believed Foster may not have known who he was shooting at.
The village was reported to be on lockdown while Foster’s whereabouts were unknown. A representative from the Northwest Arctic Borough School District said the lockdown did not disrupt school on Monday.
Troopers found Foster asleep in woods near the airport, carrying a loaded handgun and was arrested without incident, according to court documents. The documents say Foster admitted to firing at the victim while sober, but drank afterward.
Foster is also charged with misconduct involving weapons for possessing a firearm while impaired. He is held at Kotzebue Regional Jail on $10,000 bail. A public defender entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 5.
Foster’s public defender did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The investigation is ongoing.
