Trooper stops to check on distressed Tri-Cities motorist. Then shots were fired

At least one shot was fired when a Washington State Patrol trooper stopped at a disabled car on Interstate 82 in Kennewick around 6 a.m. Sunday.

Neither the trooper nor the person at the disabled car was hit by gunfire, according to WSP.

The trooper contacted a person at the car at 5:54 a.m. near the Badger Canyon Exit to West Clearwater Avenue and East Badger Road.

The trooper notified WSP Communications that the person appeared to be in distress and requested aid.

The shooting occurred several minutes later just after 6 a.m.

The state patrol described it as an “officer-involved shooting,” and said the trooper was on paid administrative leave, per WSP policy.

Information on who fired shots and how many shots was not released on Sunday.

A team from the Special Investigation Unit responded to the scene. The team’s primary investigating agency will be the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

This story was originally published May 21, 2023 at 11:24 AM.