26-year-old woman admits to killing a friend in a ‘terrible accident’ in Kennewick
Katelynn Vinson began crying Tuesday even before she admitted to killing a friend in Kennewick 2 1/2 years ago.
The 26-year-old pleaded guilty then apologized for murdering Daniel Bueno during an argument in August 2023.
“I know that no amount of time will ever repair the loss that everyone in Daniel’s life will feel,” Vinson said during her sentencing hearing in Benton County Superior Court. “This was a terrible accident and one that I hope will one day be forgiven.”
Her plea during the emotional hearing was to second-degree murder and possession with the intent to deliver heroin.
She shot the 36-year-old man while hitting him with a handgun through the window of a truck. The two had been arguing earlier in the night.
Even before the murder, she had a lengthy criminal history that included shooting at her ex-boyfriend in 2016 and eluding police in 2019.
Vinson faced 16 years to 24 1/2 years in prison. Prosecutors and her attorney agreed to recommend she receive the minimum end of the range.
Judge Bronson Brown agreed to that, saying he made the decision because of the negotiations and her agreement to forego a trial. He added that Vinson will carry the burden of Bueno’s death forever.
“There isn’t any amount of sentence that the court can give that is really adequate,” Brown said. “The only thing that would be adequate is if the court had the power to bring a person’s life back.”
Brown said it’s frustrating to see the path of destruction Vinson cut because of her addiction to drugs. He hoped she doesn’t return to the same life when she finishes her prison sentence.
“You’ve not only taken a life. You’ve destroyed many people’s lives,” Brown said. “Now that you’ve entered this plea, you will forever be known as someone that’s convicted of murder.”
Bueno’s family asked for a sentence that would hold her accountable. They described him as an amazing person who always helped people in need.
“Everyday we must wake up with the weight of his absence, but the emptiness of losing a parent and a partner cannot be filled,” said his daughter Leiloni Bueno. “The trauma from the event will forever haunt us. I will never be able to turn to a normal life.”
Shot during argument
Vinson and Bueno were arguing at a home on the 2600 block of Sixth Avenue. During the argument, she yelled at him to leave and began a countdown. After he got into his truck, she followed him to his truck.
Defense attorney Brian Hultgrenn said she had cocked the gun during the argument. When she followed him outside, and hit him through the window, the gun went off and the bullet went under his arm and into his chest.
Vinson ran away from the truck and Bueno yelled about being shot. Vinson told him to drive himself to the hospital and “quit crying,” court documents said.
Police were called after one of Bueno’s friends called 911. Police found him inside the truck and he later died at Trios Southridge Hospital in Kennewick.