Police find gun where West Richland father was shot by officers in Kennewick

Investigators say a handgun was found at the scene of Sunday night’s fatal police shooting in Kennewick.

Gordon L. Whitaker, 45, was shot and killed by Kennewick police when he allegedly pulled out a gun.

The initial report from police said Whitaker “allegedly produced what appeared to be a firearm” during their contact with him and another man on North Fruitland Street shortly before midnight.

Until Tuesday afternoon and evening, investigators had released few details of the officer-involved shooting.

Kennewick police first identified their three officers — Becca Henry, Zach Moore and Dylan Markley — who have been placed on administrative leave following the shooting. That is standard protocol in officer-involved shooting investigations.

Then, Richland police Capt. Jeff Taylor, who is serving as the investigation team’s spokesman, announced hours later that a gun had been found and seized.

Taylor’s news release also was the first to name Whitaker, who previously was named only by family.

Specially trained detectives from other Tri-City agencies have been assigned to this case for the regional Special Investigations Unit. The team is being led by Commander Steve Caughey with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Whitaker was shot an unknown number of times, according to a news release.

Wednesday’s autopsy showed he died from multiple gunshot wounds, said the Benton County Coroner’s Office. But other specifics were not released.

“When the final autopsy report is completed, which will of course be several weeks out, and after toxicology comes back, they’ll have the final determinations,” said Coroner Bill Leach.

Whitaker was a father of six who in recent years had been caring for his wheelchair-bound mother who has multiple sclerosis. He lived in West Richland.

He was described by daughter Juliet Whitaker Green as a funny, genuine, bright spirit who loved to cook and help others in need.

She acknowledged that her dad had a felony history before 2004, but said that is in the past and he served his time. Now, loved ones want to share “ all of the great qualities he had as a friend, father and son” while they wait for word of what led to the shooting.

Sunday’s shooting

Kennewick Lt. Aaron Clem earlier said officers were patrolling near Fruitland and Columbia Park Trail about 11:45 p.m. Sunday when they contacted Whitaker and the other man, whose name has not been released.

One of the men started to run after they were asked for their names.

It was while officers were in the process of detaining Whitaker that he allegedly pulled out a gun, and at least one officer fired in response to the threat, Clem said in his news release Monday.

His release on Tuesday did not identify which of the officers fired the shots or the reason for the late-night contact.

Police at the scene provided immediate medical aid to Whitaker but were unable to save him.

“As of this release, the investigation is in its early stages so not all the details of what happened are known to investigators at this time,” Taylor said. “More details will be released as the investigation continues.”

Anyone who has information is asked to call Pasco police Sgt. Jamie Raebel at RAEBELJ@pasco-wa.gov or 509-544-3076.

This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 7:25 PM.