Byron Waska, a 28-year-old man, died from a gunshot wound on July 1, 2026, inside a residence in Atmautluak, a small community west of Bethel. Alaska State Troopers were notified of the death at approximately 4:05 p.m. The incident was initially reported as a suicide, but troopers who responded to the home found circumstances at the scene that appeared suspicious and requested assistance from investigators with the Alaska Bureau of Investigation.
The residence belonged to 36-year-old Atmautluak resident Levi Beaver, who was reportedly the only other person inside the home when the shooting occurred. According to charging documents, Beaver initially told an investigator that Waska had asked to examine a handgun Beaver owned because he was considering purchasing it. Beaver allegedly claimed that he heard the firearm discharge but did not actually see the shooting.
Investigators said Beaver later changed his account. The following day, he allegedly told authorities that the handgun discharged accidentally while he was handing it to Waska. Alaska State Troopers ultimately determined that Beaver had fired the shot that killed Waska while Beaver was intoxicated. The reported inconsistencies in Beaver's statements, combined with evidence observed at the residence, led investigators to reject the initial account that Waska had taken his own life.
Beaver was arrested on July 2 and charged with felony manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree misconduct involving weapons and fourth-degree misconduct involving weapons. He was taken to the Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center in Bethel, where he remained in custody as the criminal case moved forward. A court hearing was scheduled for July 13 in Bethel.
Waska's body was transported to the Alaska State Medical Examiner's Office in Anchorage for examination, and authorities notified his next of kin. The charges against Beaver remain allegations unless proven in court, and no trial or conviction had been reported in the available information.
