Kodiak Shooting: Victim's Uncle Says Nephew Trying To Rescue Girl

June 24, 2012|By Matthew Simon | Channel 2 News

KODIAK, Alaska — The uncle of a 28-year-old man shot and killed early Saturday morning at a Kodiak home says his nephew was attempting to rescue a friend who was being held against her will.

Alaska State Trooper spokesperson Tim DeSpain says Justen Nixon, 28, was killed at about 3:18 a.m. by multiple gunshot wounds at a tri-plex on Spruce Cape Road.

"They were called to the residence to pick up a friend of Justen," said Justen's uncle James Nixon. "The gentleman at the residence did not want the girl to leave. And then they finally got him to open the door to let them in to get the girl, and that's when the altercation happened and the gunfire started."

DeSpain says troopers initially received a call about a fight at a party. According to James Nixon, Justen and his brother Jared Nixon both responded to the call from the residence.

"I just don't understand. I can't explain how I feel about it," Nixon said. “(Jared Nixon) heard gunshots, and his brother turned and said…’I've been shot,’ and he grabbed his brother and held him until he passed away."

A family member acquainted with one of the individuals inside the home tells Channel 2 no one at the home was ever in danger prior to Nixon's arrival, and says the shooter was only defending his own life after being attacked.

The family member believes surveillance video at the home should help investigators determine what really happened.

The incident remains under investigation, and no arrests have reportedly been made. DeSpain says an individual troopers believe to be the shooter is cooperating with investigators.

Nixon says his nephew is survived by three children, his parents and two brothers.

The family is struggling to pay for Justen Nixon's funeral. Anyone interested in donating can contribute to the AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union account of Kevin Nixon, another uncle of Justen's.

Email Matthew Simon

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