On December 30, 2023, in Koyuk, Alaska, 74-year-old Dennis Adams was fatally shot inside his residence. His son, 35-year-old Franklin Adams, contacted emergency dispatchers around 5:45 p.m., reporting that he had shot and killed his father. Alaska State Troopers responded promptly, arresting Franklin and charging him with first-degree murder.
According to charging documents, Franklin claimed he had been assaulted earlier and subsequently smoked marijuana, which he believed was laced with
another substance, causing him to black out. Upon regaining consciousness, he retrieved a Remington 1100 semi-automatic shotgun from his bedroom. Entering the living room, Franklin stated that when his father turned toward him, he perceived that 'he wasn't Dennis.' Franklin fired a shot but missed, then reloaded and shot Dennis in the chest, causing him to fall to the floor. Unable to chamber a third round, Franklin retrieved a different shotgun, a Remington 870, and a photo of his deceased brother before dialing 911, expressing that he 'wasn't feeling himself.'
Following his arrest, Franklin was transported to the Anvil Mountain Correctional Center in Nome. His arraignment took place on January 1, 2024, where bail was set at $500,000. A subsequent court hearing was scheduled for January 11, 2024. The incident has deeply affected the small community of Koyuk, highlighting the complexities of familial relationships and the potential dangers of substance use.
