Burning Truck Incident In West Richland Leads To Crime Spree!

A burning truck, four fires, four deaths and an officer-involved shooting sees a one-man crime spree come to end according to local authorities. 

You might have seen the video of the burning truck on Van Giesen but it looks like the truck is just the tip of the iceberg on what was going with the occupant of that vehicle.

In a press release from the Kennewick Police Department, 4 dead and 4 fires are all related to a suspect who was involved in an officer-involved shooting in West Richland.

Here are the details of the case:

West Richland PD 21-03769 / Wednesday, August 25, 2021, 6:30 am
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) responded to a request by Police Chief Ben Majetich to investigate an officer-involved shooting incident in accordance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 139-12-030. The incident occurred in the 4000 block of Van Giesen.

Preliminary information has revealed the preceding events may have included residential structure fires and an assault of several subjects which occurred approximately 0400, this date, in the Finley area. SIU requested the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, who has responded and will be assisting SIU detectives in processing the scene. SIU also has several investigators conducting interviews.

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On August 25th, 2021, at about 0355 hours, Benton County Deputies were dispatched to the 21,000 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.

Benton County deputies are still actively working both residential fire scenes in Finley.
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.

On August 25, 2021, 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. The 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. A preliminary investigation indicated they may be involved in the SIU investigation. Preliminary information discovered by SIU 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, West Richland, WA. 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 Officers 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 was 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. We are still attempting to identify that person.

At this time Kennewick PD is investigating both incidents involving IBEW and the incident on S. Gum St. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating all incidents in Benton County.

These active investigations may be connected to the subject of this officer-involved shooting incident and are being conducted independently of the SIU investigation. Any additional information regarding those investigations with being published independently of any SIU press releases.

If anyone has information related to this investigation, they are asked to contact either of the SIU supervisors are listed below.
Sergeant Damon Jansen - djansen@ci.richland.wa.us 509-942-7353
Sergeant Jose Santoy – Jose.Santoy@ci.kennewick.wa.us 509-582-1352
KPD – Lt Jason Kiel – Jason.Kiel@ci.kennewick.wa.us 509-582-1317
BCSO - Lt Erik Magnuson - erik.magnuson@co.benton.wa.us 509-735-6555 EXT 3304