Arrest made in Alaska killing of Vergennes native

Posted on February 18, 2013 |

• Vergennes

By Associated Press

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Authorities on Friday arrested an Alaska man accused of shooting and killing a Vergennes native and another Coast Guard employee at a communications station on Kodiak Island, Alaska, last spring, the U.S. attorney said.

James Michael Wells, 61, of Kodiak is accused in a federal murder complaint of killing Petty Officer 1st Class James Hopkins, of Vergennes, and retired Chief Boatswain’s Mate Richard Belisle on April 12, 2012.

The arrested man worked with the victims, a Coast Guard spokeswoman confirmed.

Permalink