A Fort Wainwright soldier was arrested on Friday for murder after the police discovered a man shot in the head inside a Fairbanks apartment. Authorities say 24-year-old Adayus Robertson faces charges of first-degree murder, evidence tampering, and probation violations linked to prior cases.
Police responded around 10 a.m. to a report of gunfire at an apartment on 27th Avenue in Fairbanks, Alaska. Joseph Casas, a 37-year-old, was discovered inside by authorities with a gunshot wound to his head; after being brought to the hospital, the staff declared him dead.
In a statement, Fairbanks police said Robertson, an active duty soldier stationed at Fort Wainwright, knew the victim. According to court records, Robertson was already under ankle monitoring for a felony assault charge related to a pistol-whipping incident that occurred in January.
GPS tracking data showed Robertson at the apartment during the shooting before he walked away from the scene on foot. Officers later located Robertson with two other individuals at the Big Dipper Ice Arena and arrested him.
According to officials, a witness inside the apartment confirmed both men were in the same room when the gunshot went off. A relative of Robertson had purchased the Glock, and detectives confirmed the gun´s link to the shooting.
Robertson told detectives the victim was acting erratically but requested a lawyer before answering further questions about the incident. Robertson is also facing charges for allegedly escaping house arrest on base in late March while out on bail.
A judge recently modified his release on April 1, removing his restriction to remain on base. The judge set bail at $2.5 million during the Sunday of Robertson´s initial court appearance. He is now seeking private legal counsel.
