Noorvik teen charged with attempted murder

SOUNDER STAFF

April 18, 2008 at 10:02AM AKST

A 17-year-old suicidal male from Noorvik has been charged with first-degree attempted murder of a village police officer, according to state troopers.

On April 13, state troopers in Kotzebue contacted the public safety officer after they received a report that Jim Beasley was intoxicated and threatening to end his life.

Beasley was found in a tree and had a rope, according to Sgt. Karl Main of the Kotzebue State Troopers.

The officer, who is related to Beasley, escorted him to the public safety building, where the two awaited transport to Kotzebue for a meeting with Maniilaq mental health counselors.

While in custody, Beasley attacked the officer and several minutes of struggle ensued as Beasley began to strangle the officer and threat his life, according to troopers. Beasley dragged the officer from the building’s exit and then escaped, according to Main.'a0

"Part of reason why the struggle continued was because the VPO was doing his job ensuring the safety of this guy. When he realized his life was in danger he fought back," Main said.

State troopers were notified, but their flight to Noorvik was delayed due to white-out conditions and poor visibility.'a0

With the help of two community residents, the public safety officer found Beasley and apprehended him near a local residence, troopers said. Despite his efforts to resist arrest, Beasley was taken into custody.

At nearly midnight, state troopers arrived in Noorvik with flight medics from the Maniilaq Hospital. They took Beasley into protective custody to prevent him from harming himself and others.

While in Noorvik, medics also examined the injured village police officer. He was released after treatment.

Troopers returned to Kotzebue with Beasley, taking him to the Kotzebue Hospital.'a0

Once medically cleared, Beasley was arrested on charges of first-degree attempted murder of a police officer, first-degree domestic violence assault and minor consuming alcohol.'a0

Beasley was held overnight by state troopers. On April 14, he appeared in district court and was charged as an adult.'a0

He remains in custody on $100,000 bail plus a court-approved, third-party custodian.