Autopsy, new details released in death of pharmacist in a Kennewick ravine. What we know
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Tri-Cities murder/suicide
Follow our coverage of a Kennewick pharmacist who allegedly killed his brother-in-law and then himself.
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Autopsy, new details released in death of pharmacist in a Kennewick ravine. What we know
Murder-suicide of a brother-in-law and a pharmacist rocks Tri-Cities. What we know
Man accused of murdering his brother-in-law is dead after standoff in Kennewick ravine
Police search for Tri-Cities pharmacist accused of killing brother-in-law in the street
New details released Tuesday shed more light on the Dec. 5 police standoff that ended with the suicide of a Kennewick man who killed his brother-in-law.
Independent police investigators confirmed Tuesday that Adam Klei, 44, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound sometime during the two hours that officers had him surrounded near 44th Avenue and Gum Street.
Officials reported that Klei, a local pharmacist, also was struck in the head with a “less lethal munition” fired by a police officer before he died.
“An autopsy revealed that the less lethal injury was a survivable injury and ruled the cause of death was the self-inflicted gunshot,” read the statement from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
The initial findings were released pending a full review led by officers from Pasco, Richland and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
Kennewick police had been searching for Klei since the day before in connection with the deadly shooting of his brother-in-law, Travis Kitchen, 48, during a confrontation near Kitchen’s home on the 3000 block of South Jean Street.
Kitchen, a district sales leader for Frito Lay and a father of five, is married to Klei’s sister. He was found on the side of the road and could not be revived.
Kennewick police tried locating Klei throughout the day and evening.
Overnight, police received a tip that someone matching Klei’s description was seen entering a wooded ravine in an area a couple miles from where Kitchen was shot.
The next day police reported seeing a man in the bushes holding a gun to his head, according to dispatch reports. Officers tried to talk with him.
“While refusing to comply with the commands, Klei fired several rounds in the direction of the officers. Officers did not return lethal fire,” read the SIU’s statement.
Detectives Corey McGee and Kris Safranek used “less lethal munitions,” including pepperballs, while they awaited a response from more regional law enforcement agencies, including SWAT, said the statement.
“All attempts were unsuccessful,” read the statement.
Officers were able to reach Klei after they determined he was likely incapacitated from what they believed was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Kennewick police asked the SIU detectives to review his death because the less lethal ammunition was used.
The SIU team members are tasked with crime scene processing and collection, and with conducting interviews. That investigation is continuing.
This story was originally published December 12, 2023 at 5:17 PM.
