16-year-old held in shooting death of Palmer man near Sutton, troopers say

A 16-year-old is being held at the Mat-Su Youth Facility on juvenile criminal charges after Alaska State Troopers said the teen shot and killed a family member near Slipper Lake in the Sutton area on Saturday.

Troopers identified the man as Daniel Gunderson, 47, of Palmer. He died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to trooper dispatch AK26096153.

Troopers were notified at 5:32 p.m. on Sept. 26 that a man had been found dead near the lake. Investigators from the Alaska Bureau of Investigation took over the case and identified a family member as a person of interest. A preliminary investigation found the teen was recreating with Gunderson, then intentionally shot him multiple times, troopers said.

The teen fled in Gunderson's truck and drove to Seward. There, he called 911 and was detained by Seward police, troopers said.

The account comes from the troopers' dispatch alone. It does not name the teen or list the specific charges. Charges are accusations. The teen is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Troopers said additional charges are expected as the investigation continues. Under Alaska law, if a minor who was at least 16 at the time of an offense is charged by complaint, information or indictment with an unclassified or class A felony against a person, the minor is prosecuted as an adult, according to AS 47.12.030.

Gunderson's next of kin have been notified. His body was sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy.