Alaska Coast Guard Shootings: 2 Dead On Kodiak Island

KODIAK, Alaska (AP) — Two Coast Guard members were fatally shot Thursday at a communications station on an island off Alaska, officials said.

Officials said it remained unclear if the deaths at the Coast Guard Station on Kodiak Island were a double homicide or a murder-suicide. Capt. Jesse Moore said it was "possible that the suspect remains at large."

About 60 enlisted personnel and civilians work at the station, which serves as the "ears in the sky" for radio transmissions from mariners and aircraft, Petty Officer Charly Hengen said. It is responsible for relaying distress calls to the Guard's air station in Anchorage.

A commanding officer also works at the station, which is a few miles from the Guard's base, Hengen said.

The base, about 8 miles from the island's largest city of Kodiak, and nearby schools were on lockdown. Moore called on the city's 6,300 or so residents to remain calm and vigilant until more details emerge, but stressed that the shooting was a "rare occurrence."

The communications station has "secure front doors," Hengen said, and requires staff and visitors to show identification.

Rear Adm. Thomas Ostebo, the commander of Coast Guard operations in Alaska, was in New London, Conn., for a conference at the Coast Guard Academy but left ahead of schedule and could not be reached for comment, according to academy spokesman David Santos. The two-day conference on leadership for the Arctic began earlier Thursday.

The shooting occurred almost 11 years after another fatal shooting involving the Coast Guard on another Alaska island, St. Paul Island, which is about 660 miles west of the city of Kodiak. Chief Warrant Officer Timothy Harris was killed in a shooting by a man he believed was having an affair with his estranged wife.

The FBI said agents were headed to Kodiak from Anchorage about 250 miles away. The Guard said the identities of the victims would be released after family members were notified.

Comments

[RMCM USCG Retired]

04:23 PM on 04/14/2012

On an Average Day, the Coast Guard...
• Saves 12 lives
• Responds to 64 search & rescue cases
• Keeps 842 pounds of cocaine off the streets
• Services 116 buoys & fixes 24 discrepancies
• Screens 720 commercial vessels & 183,000 crew & passengers
• Issues 173 credentials to merchant mariners
• Investigates 13 marine accidents
• Inspects 68 containers
• Inspects 29 vessels for compliance with air emissions standards
• Performs 28 safety & environmental examinations of foreign vessels
• Boards 13 fishing boats to ensure compliance with fisheries laws
• Responds and investigates 10 pollution incidents

[GOODDOC1]

02:24 AM on 04/14/2012

The names of the two men killed were Retired CPO Richard Belile (sp?), and Active duty CPO James Hopkins. He was an Electronics Tech. The Cost Guard, the FBI, and the Alaska State Troopes are all working together on this case, and it has been ruled a double Homicide. The Coast Guard plans a memorial Service, possibly as early as next week. You can go to www.ktuu.com for the most recent developments. Gentlemen, rest in Peace. Semper Paratus!

[GOODDOC1]

10:03 PM on 04/13/2012

They've identified the two men -- one was a retired CPO, and the other an active duty CPO. The FBI has ruled it a double homicide, NOT a murder suicide. For more info, you can go to www.ktuu.com for more information.

[ghunter591]

12:09 PM on 04/13/2012

All those of us who work with the wonderful young men and women of the Coast Guard have no doubt about the strength of our nation and its future. It is foolish and heartless to presume anything about this tragedy before more facts are known.

[FABULOUS JOHNNY G]

11:47 AM on 04/13/2012

~~~~~~~~ "THE INCREDIBLY FABULOUS JOHNNY G." ~~~~~~~~
--UNITED STATES COAST GUARD, RETIRED --DISABLED AMERICAN VETERAN --
--------------- PATRIOT GUARD RIDER -- WE RIDE WITH RESPECT --------------

[manonfire51]

10:56 AM on 04/13/2012

Wouldn't it be nice if Obama attended his first military funeral since most US troops who died in Afghanistan have died under his administration. It would cut into his campaigning,fund raising,and vacation time though. Oh well,it was a thought.

[whatfreshhellisthis]

11:42 AM on 04/13/2012

President George W. Bush didn't attend military funerals, either. In fact, most Presidents don't, and it's not because they are cold or unfeeling. It's because the press would have a field day, photographing and trying to interview the President. Knowing this, Presidents stay away so that their presence will not detract from the attention paid to the fallen warrior and so the family may grieve in peace.

[srynmichael2]

09:38 AM on 04/13/2012

North Korean attack.

[heikhali]

09:35 AM on 04/13/2012

I seriously question the idea that this is a "murder-suicide."

[Big Horn Man]

10:24 AM on 04/13/2012

Hard to say.

[GOODDOC1]

10:05 PM on 04/13/2012

The FBI has ruled it a double homicide. For good local coverage, go to www.ktuuy.com

[Big Horn Man]

11:49 PM on 04/13/2012

Really? Thanks for the info.

[deadblonde]

03:14 AM on 04/13/2012

It's unclear if this was a murder suicide? WTF? If there are only two people and they are both shot, there has to be a gun if it's a murder/suicide. And you'd be able to tell if uit was fired right?

[Fenrir Lokison]

08:13 AM on 04/13/2012

What if ballistics comes back and there is a second gun with only the female's fingerprints on it?

It is not like it is that simple. This is not CSI. They don't make the conclusion just by looking at the crime scene or evidence.

[GOODDOC1]

10:07 PM on 04/13/2012

They have named both victims, and neither was female. One was a retired CPO, and the other an active duty CPO. The FBI has ruled it a double homicide, but very few other details have been released. For more good local coverage, go to www.ktuu.com

[Sally Owens]

02:49 AM on 04/13/2012

I'd like to point out to the writer of this story that Kodiak is not an island off of Alaska, it is, in fact part of Alaska - and not a foreign country, as often portrayed by the press. As a member of the Kodiak community, I'd like to extend my sympathies and prayers to the families and friends of the fallen Coast Guard members. The members of the Coast Guard are a valued and vital part of the Alaska community, true heroes all, and their loss strikes deep into the heart and soul of us all.

[Sean DuBell]

07:50 AM on 04/13/2012

its an island, off the coast of the mainland alaska, could have been worded better, but still true none-the less

[TERRENCE DAVIS]

08:13 AM on 04/13/2012

FYI, The City of Kodiak is situated on the second largest island in the United States, approximately 250 air miles southwest of Anchorage in the Gulf of Alaska. According to Pat Branson, Mayor, City of Kodiak and The City of Kodiak.

Reference http://www.city.kodiak.ak.us/Home/Pages/home2.aspx. Sorry, but its in or on an Island one way or another.
Prayers go out to the families of the victims. May the killers be caught apprehended swiftly.






http://www.city.kodiak.ak.us/Home/Pages/home2.aspx

[GOODDOC1]

02:32 AM on 04/13/2012

My prayers for all Coasties everywhere, past, present, and future. A definate loss to our Country and our State.

[1differentdrummer]

06:11 AM on 04/13/2012

Aw come on now.

[reeneeq]

11:53 AM on 04/13/2012

Obvious that you've never been in need of the services of these brave "ganster hooligans" and I'm pretty sure that you've never put your life on the line to save someone else as many of these brave men & women do every single day!

[Ramon Moreno]

02:16 AM on 04/13/2012

The eternal question: Who guards the coast guard?

[specialkinwa]

03:12 AM on 04/13/2012

Who will police the police?

[bodel]

06:02 AM on 04/13/2012

Are you a drug smuggler?Maybe you swam here .?...illegally?
The eternal question is why do people like you have such a problem with outfits such as the Coast Guard and Fire depts.,both dedicated to saving lives.?
Get a life.

[amd52]

02:08 AM on 04/13/2012

Very sad situation for all the families that have lost a loved one and also, the coast guard family members as well. It seems as if all the People in this World Today who do good and care for the peoples well being are cut short, i wish there was some kind of explanation for this unfortunate incident. My prayers and love are sent to all who have just been Caring Citizens and looking out for the rest of us. I hope you get consolation in knowing your Loved ones Cared for all. Again, with Praise and Glory for all who do the Great Work of God. Be strong and you will heal and never ever be forgotten. Amen

[ktpinnacle]

01:31 AM on 04/13/2012

This must be personal. I don't know anyone who harbors ill will against the Coast Guard.