Homicide Investigation on the 600-block of e 9th avenue
Update on 12/13/24:
From the US Attorney’s Office:
Kuach Chuol Kuach Sentenced to 85 Years for 2017 Homicide
Dec. 13, 2024 (Anchorage, AK) – Today, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Michael Wolverton sentenced 27-year-old Kuach Chuol Kuach to serve 85 years for the murder of 22-year-old Devan McDonald on December 10, 2017.
In July 2023, an Anchorage jury found Kuach guilty of First-Degree Murder, Second-Degree Murder, Tampering with Physical Evidence and Misconduct Involving Weapons in the third degree. At trial the evidence showed that on the morning of Dec. 10, 2017, Kuach shot McDonald, who was in still in bed from the previous night. Kuach immediately fled the scene and attempted to hide the murder weapon, which was found by a member of the community the following day. The weapon was then turned into the Anchorage Police Department. Kuach was also previously convicted of felony misconduct involving weapons in the third degree just eight months prior to the murder.
At sentencing, the second-degree murder conviction merged into a single conviction for first-degree murder. The court was permitted to sentence Kuach to a sentence of active imprisonment between 30 and 99 years. The State requested a sentence of 99 years with 20 years suspended on the first-degree murder. The State also requested a sentence of three years each for the tampering with physical evidence and misconduct involving weapons in third degree convictions. Kuach requested a sentence of 50 years with 15 years suspended. In an emotional victim impact statement, McDonald’s mother testified about the impact that losing her son on not only her life, but the life of her grandson.
Judge Wolverton commented that Kuach knew to a certainty he was not to possess a firearm under federal and state law. He further stated that McDonald was laying in his own bed in his own home, and Kuach, knowing he wasn’t supposed to possess a firearm, went to McDonald’s bedroom and assassinated McDonald. Judge Wolverton was persuaded by the State’s argument, finding and adopting the sentencing analysis proposed by the State.
Kuach was sentenced to 99 years with 20 years suspended on the first-degree murder, and 3 years each on the tampering with physical evidence and misconduct involving weapons in the third degree. Kuach’s composite sentence is 105 years with 20 years suspended. Upon release he will be on felony probation for 10 years.
This case was investigated by the Anchorage Police Department’s homicide unit. Kuach is current in the custody of the Alaska Department of Corrections.
Update on 7/18/23:
From the US Attorney’s Office:
Today, an Anchorage jury found 26-year-old Kuach Chuol Kuach guilty of murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, tampering with physical evidence, and misconduct involving weapons in the third degree for the 2017 killing of 22-year-old Devan McDonald. The Honorable Judge Michael Wolverton presided over the five-week jury trial.
The evidence presented at trial established that on the morning of December 10, 2017, Kuach shot McDonald, who was in still in bed from the previous night. Kuach immediately fled the scene and attempted to hide the murder weapon, which was found by a member of the community the following day. The weapon was then turned into the Anchorage Police Department. Kuach was also previously convicted of felony Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Third Degree just eight months prior to the murder.
Judge Wolverton remanded Kuach to the Department of Corrections, where Kuach will be held without bail pending sentencing on December 11, 2023. He faces a sentencing range of 30 to 109 years.
Anchorage Assistant District Attorneys Cody Tirpak and Whitney Bostick prosecuted this case. The Anchorage Police Department’s Homicide Unit investigated the murder.
Update on 12/11/17:
At 11:15 p.m. last night, a tip was received about the suspect inside a residence in the 1600 block of Juneau Street. When officers arrived, the suspect ignored commands to exit the residence. The suspect barricaded himself inside with his family members and continued to ignore officer’s commands to exit. As a result, SWAT was requested and activated. Negotiations continued throughout the night and into this morning. At 5:45 a.m., Kuach Kuach exited the residence, was taken into custody and arrested without incident.
The victim has been identified as Devan McDonald (22 years old).
Detectives believe Kuach is the lone suspect in this investigation and are not looking for additional suspects.
Update 12/10/17:
Detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect in this investigation.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Kuach Chuol Kuach (20 years old). He faces multiple charges including Murder 1.
He is to be considered armed and dangerous. Don’t approach him.
Anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts and/or this investigation is asked to call Police Dispatch at 786-8900 (press “0” for an operator). To remain anonymous you may contact Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or online at www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com.
Original:
Officers are on the scene of a homicide investigation in the 600 block E. 9th Avenue.
The preliminary investigation has found an adult male was found inside an apartment with a gunshot wound to the upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No additional information is available to release at this time.
APD Case: 17-50682
