On August 14, 2024, a 73-year-old man, Peter K. Frankson, Alaskan Native Male, was found on the living room floor of a home on the eastern side of Point Hope, Alaska, near AJ's Store. Officers with the North Slope Borough Police Department arrived after a 5:30 p.m. dispatch call and medics pronounced him dead at the scene from a gunshot wound to the head. The following day, local emergency officials reassured residents there was no ongoing threat to the community.
In the doorway of the residence, officers encountered Frankson's nephew, 33-year-old Lennie Tuzroyluk, who, according to a probable-cause statement, showed signs of intoxication. Tuzroyluk initially told investigators that he and his uncle had fought over a rifle and that Frankson had pulled the trigger. Officers noted physical evidence that appeared to conflict with parts of that account, including the manual ejection and repositioning of the weapon, which Tuzroyluk admitted doing because he said he was nervous and scared.
Police arrested Tuzroyluk and prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder, fourth-degree assault, fourth-degree misconduct involving weapons, and tampering with physical evidence. Court records cited in local reporting indicate he was taken into custody, and authorities emphasized there was no remaining threat to Point Hope. Separate public databases documenting gun fatalities list Peter K. Frankson, Male, age 73, as killed by gun violence in Point Hope on August 14, 2024.
