4 Dead, Including Suspect, After Fires, Gunshots In Several Tri-Cities Locations

(West Richland, WA) -- Police from several agencies across the Tri-Cities are investigating after a man is killed in a gunfight with police. This after several fires broke out in the region and three others were found dead. This all began Wednesday morning just before 4 in Finley.

On August 25th just before 4am hours, Benton County Deputies were dispatched to the 21000 block of E. Finley Road for a report of a break-in. The reporting party told 911 dispatchers that someone had shot his father. The reporting party was able to exit his residence and noticed that both his and his neighbor's house were on fire. The reporting party advised that he saw a subject running away from home.

Once deputies arrived on the scene, they located the reporting party. Deputies found the reporting party's father in the backyard with a gunshot wound. The shooting victim was transported to an area hospital where he underwent surgery. He was then airlifted to a trauma center. Shortly after deputies arrived at the scene, they learned that the suspect was possibly a neighbor who lived behind the victim’s house. The neighbor’s house was also on fire. Deputies discovered that the neighbor’s truck was missing from the location and provided a description the truck to area law enforcement. During this time, deputies learned that a vehicle matching the neighbors was observed attempting to set fire to a commercial building in Kennewick.

Additionally, deputies have located a deceased victim at the fire scene where the shooting occurred. The Benton County Sheriff's Office will provide additional updates as the information becomes available.

At 4:47 am, Kennewick Police Department officers responded to 114 N Edison St, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 112 building, to assist the Kennewick Fire Department with a suspicious fire. KFD was able to quickly suppress the fire and minimize damage. KPD officers conducted an investigation and determined that forced entry was made into the building and that the fire appeared to have been intentionally set.

At 7:21 am, KPD officers and KFD responded to 8340 W Gage Blvd, the IBEW Local 112 training building for a report of a suspicious fire. It was discovered that forced entry had been made into the building and it appeared that the fire was intentionally set. KFD was able to quickly control the fire to minimize damage. Preliminary investigation appears to link this fire with the fire at 114 N. Edison St.

At 12:06 pm, KPD and KFD responded to the 4300 block of S. Gum St. where two deceased adults were located. .

Preliminary information discovered by investigators indicates officers located a vehicle matching the description as provided from the above incidents. The suspect vehicle was seen entering the City of West Richland, following from a safe distance with flames observed coming from the vehicle. The vehicle came to a stop in the 4000 block of Van Giesen. After the vehicle came to a stop, several rounds were fired from inside the vehicle. At that time four local officers; one West Richland PD, one Pasco PD and two Benton County Sheriff’s Office, fired their duty weapon into the vehicle in an effort to stop the threat posed by the suspect and sole occupant of the vehicle. Benton County Fire District 4 responded to the incident and were able to quickly extinguish the fire. Once the vehicle fire was out, officers were able to confirm the body of one deceased person inside the vehicle. That person has not been identified. The investigation continues.