2 arrested following AST, WPD search for suspects in Houston.following chase on Parks Hwy

Following an hours-long shutdown of the Parks Highway and a multi-unit search in Houston, two suspects have been arrested and are facing multiple charges, including attempted murder and driving under the influence of controlled substances.

According to an Alaska State Trooper (AST) dispatch, trouble began around 9:30 a.m., AST, along with the Wasilla Police Department (WPD) were notified of a REDDI report involving a BMW sedan in the Wasilla area. Within minutes, WPD attempted to stop the vehicle in the Wasilla area. However, the driver refused to stop, and a pursuit was initiated.

At one point during the pursuit, the occupants of the sedan fired a gun at a marked AST vehicle, striking the patrol vehicle near the Trooper. The pursuit continued northbound on the Parks Highway until the vehicle left the roadway near Millers Reach Road and the Parks Highway in Houston, and both occupants fled on foot. Law enforcement quickly blocked off the area, diverting drivers through a local neighborhood street while additional law enforcement officers responded, and a perimeter was established. AST Southcentral SWAT Team was activated, and DPS HELO 3 responded to the area to assist with the manhunt.

At around 11 a.m. residents in the Houston area received emergency alerts notifying them of the road closures as information spread over radios and social media of the heavy law enforcement presence in the area searching for a subject in the area of the Parks Highway in Millers Reach Road.

The Parks Highway remained closed in both directions between West King Arthur Drive and West Cheri Lakes Drive and residents in the area were advised to lock their doors and stay inside.

Just after noon, both vehicle occupants were located hiding in an old aircraft by the SWAT team and taken into custody. The suspects have been identified as 24-year-old Wasilla resident Daniel Buckwalter Jr. and 41-year-old Houston resident Autumn Duczek were arrested on multiple charges and have been remanded to Mat-Su Pretrial Facility.

Buckwalter faces multiple charges including Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Reckless Driving, Driving Under the Influence of Controlled Substances, Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, Misconduct Involving a Weapon in the First Degree, Misconduct Involving a Weapon in the Third Degree, Failure to Stop at Direction of Peace Officer First Degree, and Assault in the Third Degree.

Duczek, who has had multiple run-ins with law enforcement in the past, has been charged with: Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Misconduct Involving a Weapon in the First Degree, Misconduct Involving a Weapon in the Third Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Fifth Degree, Assault in the Fourth Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, and Assault in the Third Degree.