Wasilla man charged with murder in wake of October 2023 shooting

PALMER — A 38-year-old Wasilla resident, Dustin Peters, is facing murder charges related to a shooting that occurred in October of 2023 that ultimately led to the death of 36-year-old Wasilla resident Jacob Wodkowski.

According to Alaska State Troopers online dispatch records, Troopers responded to reports of an assault in Wasilla around 4:05 a.m. Oct. 6, 2023.

Upon arrival, responding Troopers discovered Wodkowski with a gunshot wound to the head. Wodkowski was transported to a hospital in Anchorage for life-threatening injuries.

According to the dispatch, Mat-Su Valley law enforcement officers started a "manhunt" for a person of interest (Peters) who fled the scene.

Peters was eventually found and arrested at a Holiday Gas station near the Parks Highway and Pittman Road. Peters had an outstanding warrant for a parole violation.

Troopers along with Judicial Services units arrived, contacted Dustin at the Subway located within the gas station and placed him under arrest. Peters was found with a stolen firearm and controlled substances.

Wodkowski remained in medical care since the shooting and died due to his injuries Jan. 24.

After an official autopsy was conducted, the State Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the gunshot wound was ultimately the cause of Wodkowski's demise.

Peters has been in custody since his arrest in October.

According to online court documents, Peters has six charges such as manslaughter, second degree murder, and vehicle theft.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com