North Alaska News

Several days after shots were fired at two Kotzebue houses, local and state authorities are investigating the incident. 

The case was referred to the Alaska Department of Juvenile Justice "for any criminal charges against the person(s) involved," the city said in its statement. It wasn't clear in the statement whether a suspect had been apprehended.

"We value confidentiality so we don't disclose any information," said Juvenile Probation Officer Michael Heyward.

Nina Lie said she and her family live in one of the houses that were shot at. Lie, her partner Steven and two children, 14 and 12, were sleeping when Lie's 14-year-old son heard the gunshots hitting his bedroom.

"One of the bullets was inches from hitting him," Lie said. Another bullet went all the way to Lie's bedroom.

The morning after the incident, Lie said she couldn't find out from the police and city officials whether the area was clear and whether any arrests were made. Lie said she had to rely on social media for updates, even though her family was directly involved in the incident.

"Our city, our local government, failed to protect us," she said. "They failed to communicate to us and failed to protect us."

Original source can be found here.