FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The shocking discovery of an elderly woman fatally shot in her wheelchair has left the community reeling, leading to the arrest of her grandson on murder charges. Officials have identified the victim as Velma Koontz, 87, and her 29-year-old grandson, Brian Davenport, has been accused of the crime.
On Tuesday afternoon, police responded to a distress call on 22nd Avenue where they found Koontz with a gunshot wound to the back of her head. The incident was reported at approximately 3:45 p.m. by Davenport, who allegedly called 911 but did not respond to questions from the dispatcher. A responding officer found him pacing on the roadside, appearing disoriented and in a state of distress.
Davenport was initially taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital due to his erratic behavior, which raised concerns about his well-being. It wasn’t long before officers learned of Koontz’s death and connected Davenport to the incident. During police questioning, he quickly confessed to the act, revealing he had borrowed his grandfather’s handgun to carry out the shooting.
While speaking to investigators, Davenport reportedly stated that he had intended to target someone else but changed his mind, choosing instead to kill his grandmother. He described his actions in stark terms, likening them to “pulling the plug” on a life, expressing a sense of misguided mercy. According to police reports, he indicated that he wanted Koontz to pass peacefully without concerns about her legacy.
The victim’s husband returned home to find her deceased after a trip to the store, where he discovered his firearm outside. Inside their residence, he found Velma Koontz slumped in her wheelchair, a sight that has traumatized family and friends.
George Koontz, Velma’s son, attended Davenport’s arraignment in court and shared his fears about his grandson’s mental health. He urged the judge not to release Davenport, citing a troubling history of erratic behavior, including a prior assault on his own mother. “He’s a danger to the public,” George said, emphasizing serious concerns about Davenport’s state of mind.
Authorities revealed that Velma Koontz had been under hospice care and was diagnosed with cancer, which may have influenced Davenport’s disturbing justification for the crime. As further investigations continued, the court set Davenport’s bail at $5 million.
The community is grappling with the emotional aftermath of this tragedy, as questions about mental health and familial responsibility come to the forefront. Support services and crisis hotlines, such as 988, remain available for those in need of assistance.