Juvenile taken into custody for Kake homicide

A 14 year old male was taken into custody Saturday evening in connection with the death of Mackenzie Howard.

The body of 13 year old Howard was found in the entrance of the Kake Presbyterian Memorial Church Feb. 5 by a community member and has been declared a homicide by Alaska State Troopers.

Investigation of evidence and interviews led troopers to arrest the Kake teen. He has been transported to a Department of Juvenile Justice holding facility in Ketchikan and due to the age of the suspect his name and charges that are pending against him cannot be released.

According to Alaska Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Megan Peters there are many rules and regulations regarding juvenile suspects.

“The only way the name and charges can be released is if the case is waived into adult court,” Peters stated. “Even then, it is up to the Division of Juvenile Justice to release the information.”

According to Alaska Bureau of Investigation supervisor Lt. Rex Leath, they feel they have the right suspect and that he worked alone.

Authorities have treated this case as a homicide from the beginning and the state medical examiner did confirm that fact after the autopsy was completed.

Peters stated that information will be released as it is permitted by the state and juvenile authorities.