Community raises more than $12,000 for family of slain Tri-Cities father
An online GoFundMe fundraiser has been started to help the family of a Kennewick father shot and killed this week by his brother-in-law.
Travis M. Kitchen, 48, died on Monday after a brief confrontation near his home on 27th Avenue with with Adam P. Klei, 44, a Tri-Cities pharmacist.
Investigators say Klei shot Kitchen multiple times on the 3000 block of South Jean Street about 9:30 a.m. The next day, Klei died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in a ravine while police were trying to get him to surrender.
Kitchen, a father of five and grandfather of one, was originally from Spokane and had worked for Frito-Lay in the Tri-Cities, according to his Facebook page. He was married to Klei’s sister, but the couple were divorcing, according to public records.
“Travis was tragically taken from his family, and they need our support. Please keep the entire family in your thoughts and prayers,” wrote the organizer of the GoFundMe campaign, the B Warner Family.
The campaign raised more than $12,000 by Tuesday.
Organizations on Facebook also shared links to the GoFundMe campaign, including the Kennewick American Youth Baseball program, where Kitchen served as a role model for players.
“Travis Kitchen was a big part of the KA family,” the program wrote this week.
“He was an assistant coach for league and the post season for many years. His positivity, kindness and the love of the game will stay with us forever.”
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Art Fuller Auditorium at Kennewick High School.
Mueller’s Tri-Cities Funeral Home in Kennewick is handling his arrangements.
This story was originally published December 10, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
