Damien Peterson, brother of teen charged in Grunwald murder, charged in June death of Wasilla teen Woodford

PALMER — Damien Peterson was arraigned in Palmer District Court Saturday on second-degree murder charges for his alleged part in the death of 16-year-old Frank Woodford of Wasilla. Woodford died from a gunshot wound to the chest just after midnight June 27, 2016.

According to an Alaska State Troopers (AST) report released, Woodford was shot in a room of a Wasilla home. Two other teenagers, including Austin Barrett, were in the home at the time of the shooting. Barrett is one of five Mat-Su teens charged in connection with the death of 16-year-old David Grunwald of Palmer in November. Damien Peterson is the 19-year old brother of Devin Peterson, also charged in Grunwald’s murder.

AST responded to the scene on June 27 to find Woodford on the floor of a downstairs bedroom at the residence with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was still alive at the time police arrived and when asked, told troopers he did not shoot himself. When Woodford was told by medics on-scene his wound was fatal and police needed to know what happened, troopers stated Woodford reiterated that he did not shoot himself. He was medi-vaced to Anchorage and later pronounced dead.

During the investigation into the fatal shooting, troopers said that the “property custodian,” as well as several teens were at the residence at the time of the shooting, but the teens initially fled the scene, only to later return.

Peterson and Barrett were the only two people immediately present when Woodford was shot. Both gave statements to investigators.

According to the report, Barrett told police he was looking at a tablet when he heard a sound similar to a gunshot. Peterson told police Woodford picked up the gun and it went off shortly afterward.

Investigators listed both Peterson and Barrett as suspects, but soon closed the case pending further leads because of lack of conclusive evidence. AST’s Major Crimes unit is not leading the investigation.

Information on Damien Peterson’s bail was not available by press deadline. Devin Peterson remains jailed on his alleged involvement with the Grunwald case.