Homicide suspect found dead in Kennewick
By Dan Thesman on Tuesday, December 5th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
KENNEWICK – The suspect alleged to have shot and killed another man Monday is dead. The Kennewick Police Department confirms Adam Paul Klei, 44, was found dead in a ravine Tuesday.
A tip led officers to the area of South Gum Street and East 44th Avenue Tuesday where they found a man matching Klei’s description.
As officers were giving Klei commands in an effort to take him into custody, he fired several shots. KPD called in regional partners to use less-than-lethal ammunition and help contain Klei and resolve the situation. When SWAT team members moved into Klei’s location, they found him dead.
Klei was wanted for first-degree murder in connection to Monday’s fatal shooting on the 3000 block of South Jean Street. Officers were called to that location at 9:30 a.m. for a disturbance with a weapon.
When officers responded to that call, they found Travis Kitchen, 48, on the side of the road suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Lifesaving measures were performed by medics from the Kennewick Fire Department, but Kitchen was pronounced deceased at the scene. KPD said Monday’s shooting was not a random act as Klei and Kitchen knew each other.
Photo of Adam Paul Klei via the Kennewick Police Department
