Man arrested on murder charges after fatal Interior Alaska attack

TWO RIVERS, Alaska (KTUU) - A man was arrested and charged with first-degree murder Friday morning after an hours-long search by authorities near the town of Two Rivers.

Alaska State Troopers jailed 34-year-old Wesley “Scotty” Cruikshank after a Two Rivers resident reported seeing him on their property near mile 23 of Chena Hot Springs around 8:30 a.m.

Troopers issued a public alert earlier in the morning after a 911 call was made around 12:45 a.m. Friday. Troopers told the public that Cruikshank was considered armed and dangerous in the Two Rivers area, a community about 19 miles east of Fairbanks.

Emergency Medical Services crews and troopers found 43-year-old Ashton Gasper-Scavette of Two Rivers at the scene with “injuries consistent with blunt force trauma.” Gasper-Scavette was pronounced dead at the scene after life-saving efforts were attempted.

Troopers say Cruikshank attacked Gasper-Scavette for “unknown reasons,” then ran into the woods near mile 24 of Chena Hot Springs Road.

Cruikshank was found by officers and arrested “without incident” before being jailed at Fairbanks Correctional Center on first-degree murder charges. Gasper-Scavette’s body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office while the investigation continues.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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