Army Soldier Charged With First-Degree Murder in Alaska

An Army soldier from Alaska’s 11th Airborne Division faces first-degree murder charges after allegedly executing a fellow soldier, leaving behind concerning witness testimony and evidence despite purported attempts to conceal the crime.

Key Takeaways

PFC Adayus Robertson, 24, allegedly murdered fellow soldier Joseph Casas, 37, execution-style in Fairbanks, Alaska while on pretrial release for previous assault charges.
GPS data, witness statements, and medical evidence all indicate Robertson was present during the shooting and fled with a handgun magazine.
A .40 caliber Glock connected to Robertson through a relative was recovered from a trash bin near the crime scene.
Robertson, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist who enlisted in 2023, now faces charges of first-degree murder, evidence tampering, and probation violation with bail set at $2.5 million.

Execution-Style Murder at Fairbanks Apartment

Authorities have charged 24-year-old Private First Class Adayus Robertson with first-degree murder following the death of Joseph Casas, 37, at a Fairbanks apartment. Police responded to reports of gunfire just before 10 a.m. on Friday at the residence. Casas was transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to the head. Medical personnel who examined Casas provided stark details about the nature of his injuries.

Witness accounts and GPS data placed Robertson at the scene during the time of the shooting. A female witness reported that Robertson left her in the bathroom shortly before she heard a loud bang. After the gunshot, she stated Robertson insisted they leave immediately and was observed collecting items from a table.

Fort Wainwright Soldier Arrested on Murder Charges in Fairbanks Man's Death https://t.co/Aqa4YyIRmt

— Military.com (@Militarydotcom) April 15, 2025

Evidence and Arrest Details

Following the shooting, Robertson was located at the Big Dipper Ice Arena still carrying a handgun magazine. Police later recovered a .40 caliber Glock pistol from a trash bin near the shooting scene, which investigators linked to Robertson through a relative. The weapon’s discovery, combined with witness statements and medical evidence, led to Robertson’s arrest on murder charges.

The female witness who was present during the incident told investigators that Robertson appeared distressed after the shooting. “He picked stuff up off the table before we left,” and then muttered something about how “messed up” the situation was, as per the woman’s statement.

Another witness described the victim as someone who “didn’t deserve what happened to him” and agreed with the police assessment that the shooting appeared to be an execution. When questioned by police, Robertson reportedly said Casas had been “bouncing around and saying a lot of crazy stuff,” but then requested an attorney and declined to provide further statements about the incident.

Prior Criminal History and Military Status

At the time of the shooting, Robertson was already on house arrest with electronic monitoring for two previous charges, including a felony assault case in which he allegedly pistol-whipped a woman. Court records show Robertson had been released on $10,000 bail and had recently had his house arrest conditions modified by a judge, allowing him to leave his residence.

Robertson joined the Army in 2023 and is stationed at Fort Wainwright with the 11th Airborne Division, where he serves as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. This was his first duty assignment since enlisting. Military officials have confirmed Robertson’s status as an active-duty soldier but have not released further statements regarding the case.

Legal Proceedings

Following his arrest, Robertson has been charged with first-degree murder, evidence tampering, and violating probation conditions from his prior cases. A judge has set bail at $2.5 million, substantially higher than the $10,000 bail from his previous assault charge, reflecting the severity of the new allegations.

Prosecutors are expected to present additional evidence as the case moves forward through the Alaska court system. The Army has not yet announced whether Robertson will also face military justice proceedings in addition to civilian charges.