A man in Russian Mission has been charged with murder after Alaska State Troopers said that he fatally shot a man on Feb. 5.
Charging documents say that 45-year-old Richard Pitka shot 46-year-old Patrick Changsak in the shin at Changsak's home in Russian Mission, which is about 70 miles northeast of Bethel. Changsak was transported to the village clinic, where he was later pronounced dead.
Troopers said that a witness told them that he heard a gunshot while watching Pitka enter Changsak’s residence with a rifle. The witness claimed to hear another shot seconds later.
Troopers also spoke with a former health aide who responded to the incident and claimed that he saw Pitka holding the victim at the scene.
Pitka was detained by Russian Mission residents until troopers arrived the following morning, Feb. 6.
Pitka allegedly told troopers that he was dropping a rifle off with Changsak for safekeeping. Troopers said that Pitka told them that he was sitting with the rifle on his lap when it fired on its own.
Troopers determined that the rifle’s hammer would’ve had to have been cocked back and pressure applied to the safety for it to fire.
Pitka is being held at the Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center.