Russian Mission Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison Following Fatal 2024 Shooting of Patrick Changsak

A Bethel judge sentenced Richard Pitka to 15 years for the manslaughter of Patrick Changsak. Read about the 2024 Russian Mission shooting case.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 7, 2026, 4:06 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from KYUK

Final Judgment Delivered in Bethel Superior Court

The legal proceedings surrounding a violent 2024 encounter in the lower Yukon River community of Russian Mission concluded this week with the sentencing of Richard Pitka. Appearing before Judge William Montgomery in Bethel, the 47-year-old defendant received a 20-year jail sentence for the death of Patrick Changsak. The court ordered that 15 years of that term be served actively, with the remaining five years suspended. This sentencing follows a protracted legal process that saw the initial charges downgraded as investigators and the state assessed the circumstances surrounding the fatal rifle discharge.

Details of the Fatal February Encounter

The incident that led to these charges occurred in early February 2024 at Changsak's residence. According to original charging documents and witness reports, Pitka entered the home of the 46-year-old victim carrying a rifle. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots, and a former health aide who arrived at the scene found Pitka holding the severely wounded Changsak. The victim had suffered a gunshot wound to the shin, an injury that proved fatal despite efforts to treat him at the local village clinic. Pitka was subsequently detained by local residents until Alaska State Troopers could reach the remote community.

The Evolution of the Prosecution’s Case

While the state initially pursued a charge of second-degree murder, the legal strategy shifted as the case moved toward trial. Prosecutors eventually reached a plea agreement with Pitka, who pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter in 2025. During the sentencing hearing, the state expressed a conviction that while the shooting was a reckless and criminal mistake, it did not meet the threshold of a cold-blooded, intentional killing. This interpretation of the evidence was a pivotal factor in the final sentencing recommendation and the judge's decision to allow for a partially suspended term.