Friends of a Kennewick man shot by his mother in a murder-suicide are collecting donations in his name to help raise awareness about autism.
Jason Mertz, 28, had Asperger's Syndrome, a mild form of autism.
Mertz was found dead Sept. 16 at his Grand Ronde Avenue home after being shot multiple times by his mother.
Ruth Mertz, 56, then shot herself and died at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland. She left a note at the home indicating she shot her son before shooting herself.
Jason Mertz's childhood friend, Adam Halverson, has set up a donation account through the Autism Speaks website in Jason Mertz's name.
They are hoping to raise $1,000. Donations can be made online at http://bit.ly/nCbDRi.
A memorial service for Mertz is at 2 p.m. Saturday. Friends will gather near the Lampson Pits at Columbia Park in Kennewick because Mertz used to love watching the hydroplane races on the Columbia River.
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Friends remember Kennewick gunshot victim
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KENNEWICK — A Kennewick man shot and killed by his mother last week before she turned the gun on herself is remembered as someone willing to do anything for his friends.
Jason E. Mertz, 28, had Asperger's Syndrome, a mild form of autism.
But he easily made friends with lots of people and loved bowling and going to the beach, his friends Adam and Katie Halverson shared Thursday in an email to the Herald.
Investigation into deaths of mom, son still ongoing
Investigation into deaths of mom, son still ongoing
Kennewick police are continuing to investigate the murder-suicide of a Kennewick woman and her son in their Grand Ronde Avenue home.
Jason E. Mertz, 28, was found dead inside the home Friday after police responded to a reported suicide attempt. His mother, Ruth E. Mertz, died at Kadlec Regional Medical Center.
Investigators said it appears Ruth Mertz shot her son, then shot herself, said Mike Blatman, Kennewick police spokesman.
Autopsies completed in mother-son shooting
Autopsies completed in mother-son shooting
Autopsies were completed Tuesday on a Kennewick mother and son who died in an apparent murder-suicide Friday afternoon.
Jason Mertz, 28, was shot twice in the head and twice in the left arm, said Benton County Coroner John Hansens.
Ruth Mertz, 56, died from a single gunshot wound to her head, he said.
Burbank boy raises $600 for autistic friend
Burbank boy raises $600 for autistic friend
A Burbank boy raised $600 at his recent birthday party to support people with autism.
Cristian Grant, 9, told his mother he wanted to raise the money instead of receiving gifts because his friend recently was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
The money was given to the Carson Kolzig Foundation, which has an autism center in Kennewick and offers services to about 600 families.
Kennewick mom, son died from gunshots
Kennewick mom, son died from gunshots
KENNEWICK -- Police identified a Kennewick mother and son as the two people who died from gunshot wounds in the 2500 block of West Grand Ronde Avenue on Friday, but details about what happened are scarce.
Jason E. Mertz, 28, was dead when police arrived at the residence at 4:49 p.m. for a reported suicide attempt.
Ruth E. Mertz, 56, also was found to have gunshot wounds. She died at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, police said.
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