Former state Senate candidate Gavin Christiansen arrested for murder

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Gavin Christiansen, a former candidate on the ballot for Alaska Senate District F was arrested for murder Sunday. Christiansen was the Libertarian Party nominee for the seat, though he dropped out of the race on Aug. 31 due to health reasons.

According to a dispatch from Alaska State Troopers and court documents, Christiansen reportedly shot and killed 35-year-old Devin Moorhouse of Anchorage after Moorhouse’s vehicle struck Christiansen’s near Willow-Fishhook Road while Moorhouse and his passenger were doing “doughnuts” around Christiansen’s vehicle.

Court documents state the group got in an argument after the collision and Christiansen fired multiple shots at Moorhouse’s vehicle as he and his passenger drove away. Christiansen then pursued Moorhouse’s vehicle for about five miles. At one point, according to Moorhouse’s passenger, the pair pulled into a driveway and turned off the vehicle’s lights in an attempt to hide from Christiansen.

Things came to an end when Moorhouse lost control and crashed into a ditch, according to the documents.

“Christiansen then drove next to Moorhouse’s vehicle, mirror to mirror and pointed a gun at Moorhouse and his passenger,” the court documents state. “The juvenile passenger attempted to retrieve a rifle from the back seat but could not retrieve the rifle before Christiansen fired multiple rounds from inside his vehicle, at Moorhouse through Moorhouse’s closed window. They were only a few feet apart at the time of the shooting."

According to the documents, Christiansen had called 911 at some point during the pursuit, “reporting that he was going to shoot someone because he was involved in a hit and run, and they pointed a gun at him.”

A spokesperson for the Alaska Libertarian Party was able to confirm the Christiansen in the dispatch was the same one previously running on the Libertarian ticket.

The chair for the Alaska Libertarian Party, Jon Briggs Watts, later released a statement Monday.

“As the investigation is ongoing and details continue to emerge, we will not take an official position at this time. We ask that all Alaska Libertarians avoid speculation on the matter, and await discovery of the facts in this case," the statement read. “The Alaska Libertarian Party extends its sincerest condolences to all impacted by this tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those involved who have been placed in these terrible circumstances that were completely unexpected by us all.”

Christiansen’s decision to withdraw his candidacy occurred after the deadline to have a name removed from the ballot. Watts said that Christiansen had requested an endorsement from the Alaska Libertarian Party, but dropped out of the race before the board could evaluate his request.

Libertarian House candidate Scott Kohlhass and undeclared Senate candidate Carolyn Clift are the only candidates officially endorsed by the Alaska Libertarian Party, Watts said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.