Micah Nelson. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Police Department)

Micah Nelson. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Police Department)

Suspected Thanksgiving shooter faces felony charges

Micah Nelson charged with assault, weapons misconduct

A Juneau man accused of a shooting on Thanksgiving was indicted Thursday on seven felony accounts, according to court records.

A Juneau grand jury charged Micah W. Nelson, 27, with one charge of first-degree assault, one charge of second-degree assault, three counts of third-degree assault and two counts of third-degree weapons misconduct, according to the indictment. Four of those assault charges are for the alleged shooting of a 46-year-old man, and one assault charge is for making a woman feel frightened on the same day. The two weapons charges are for Nelson — who has a previous felony conviction — having a 9 mm handgun and a .69 flintlock pistol, the indictment states.

According to electronic court records, Nelson’s previous felony convictions are for drug possession and reckless driving.

Nelson was arrested Dec. 2, more than a week after a shooting occurred on Thanksgiving that landed the 46-year-old man in the hospital. The shooting happened in the 1000 block of Coogan Drive and was believed to be connected to the sale of narcotics, according to a Juneau Police Department release. The victim was in stable condition within hours of the shooting, police said at the time.

He had two felony warrants out for his arrest, for probation and parole violations, in addition to being the suspect in the shooting, police said at the time. Police nearly arrested Nelson when he was spotted near Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Nov. 27. The school went into “stay put” mode, keeping students were not allowed to leave the building. JPD Lt. Krag Campbell said at the time that it was just a precaution, and that there wasn’t any indication that Nelson was armed or dangerous at that time.

Police arrested Nelson a few days later at a home in the 1000 block of Glacier Highway, JPD’s release said.


• Contact reporter Alex McCarthy at 523-2271 or amccarthy@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @akmccarthy.


More in Home

Two flags with pro-life themes, including the lower one added this week to one that’s been up for more than a year, fly along with the U.S. and Alaska state flags at the Governor’s House on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Doublespeak: Dunleavy adds second flag proclaiming pro-life allegiance at Governor’s House

First flag that’s been up for more than a year joined by second, more declarative banner.

Juneau Assembly Member Maureen Hall (left) and Mayor Beth Weldon (center) talk to residents during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, about the establishment of a Local Improvement District that would require homeowners in the area to pay nearly $6,300 each for barriers to protect against glacial outburst floods. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Flood district plan charging property owners nearly $6,300 each gets unanimous OK from Assembly

117 objections filed for 466 properties in Mendenhall Valley deemed vulnerable to glacial floods.

Students play trumpets at the first annual Jazz Fest in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Sandy Fortier)
Join the second annual Juneau Jazz Fest to beat the winter blues

Four-day music festival brings education of students and Southeast community together.

Frank Richards, president of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., speaks at a Jan. 6, 2025, news conference held in Anchorage by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy and Randy Ruaro, executive director of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, are standing behind RIchards. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
For fourth consecutive year, gas pipeline boss is Alaska’s top-paid public executive

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, had the highest compensation among state legislators after all got pay hike.

State Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (right), I-Sitka, answers a question from Rep. Jubilee Underwood (right), R-Wasilla, about a bill increasing per-pupil public school funding during a House Education Committee meeting on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Legislators and governor form working group seeking quick education funding and policy package

Small bipartisan group plans to spend up to two weeks on plan as related bills are put on hold.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Nordic Ski Team and community cross-country skiers start the Shaky Shakeout Invitational six-kilometer freestyle mass start race Saturday at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Crimson Bears cross-country skiers in sync

JDHS Nordic Ski Team tunes up for state with practice race

Thunder Mountain Middle School eighth grader Carter Day of the Blue Barracuda Bombers attempts to pin classmate John Croasman of War Hawks White during the inaugural Thunder Mountain Mayhem Team Duels wrestling tournament Saturday at TMMS. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Inaugural Thunder Mountain Mayhem Tournament makes most of weather misfortune

More than 50 Falcons wrestlers compete amongst themselves after trip to Sitka tourney nixed.

The roundabout at the intersection of Mendenhall Loop Road and Stephen Richards Memorial Drive on Monday morning after it was reopened following a shooting between two men in vehicles shortly after midnight. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Motorist fatally shoots driver he says was threatening him with a gun at Mendenhall Valley roundabout

Shooter released after initial JPD investigation; 16-year-old victim had pellet/BB-style CO2 rifle

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney gives the State of the University address in Juneau on Jan. 30, 2025. She highlighted the wide variety of educational and vocational programs as creating opportunities for students, and for industries to invest in workforce development and the future of Alaska’s economy. (Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
University of Alaska president highlights impact on workforce, research and economy in address

Pat Pitney also warns “headwinds” are coming with federal executive orders and potential budget cuts.

Most Read