Alaska State Trooper investigators say the father of the man suspected of shooting two officers removed the slain officers’ handguns from their holsters and cocked them to make it appear as if his son had acted to save his life.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports investigators testified Monday in the Nenana trial of Arvin Kangas, who is charged with evidence tampering.
His son, Nathanial Kangas, faces murder charges in the deaths of Sgt. Scott Johnson and Trooper Gabe Rich.
They were shot May 1 in Tanana as they attempted to arrest Arvin Kangas.
Trooper Ramin Dunford testified that audio recorders worn by the fallen troopers picked up sound of Johnson’s handgun being cocked. He says he also heard what sounded like the pistol being placed under Johnson’s body.
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