Armed teen in body armor arrested for alleged threats near Kennewick park
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- Police arrested a 19-year-old man wearing body armor after gun threats Monday.
- Suspect resisted arrest near Southridge Sports Complex until officers warned force.
- Officers found shotgun shells; vehicle search pending to locate suspected firearm.
A 19-year-old wearing a bulletproof vest allegedly threatened people with a shotgun near a Wake Up Call coffee shop in Kennewick early Wednesday, said police.
Several people called 911 about 6:50 a.m. when a man wearing body armor was in the parking lot with a gun and reportedly pointing it at people, Commander Isaac Merkl told the Tri-City Herald.
The shop shares a parking lot with the Southridge Sports Complex.
Police arrived just as Corey Williams of Kennewick was trying to drive away, said Merkl. Officers stopped the car, and Williams got out still wearing the armored vest.
He initially refused to follow the officers’ orders until police warned they would use a pepperball launcher, said Merkl. The launcher fires balls with powdered capsaicin, the active ingredient in pepper spray.
Williams followed orders until they started searching him. He allegedly began resisting arrest until officers said they would use a full-body restraint called a wrap to prevent him from moving.
Police found shotgun shells in his pocket, but didn’t immediately find the gun, said Merkl. The car was impounded, and a search was planned later, said investigators.
Williams was taken to a local hospital to be checked before being booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of second-degree assault, obstructing police and driving with a suspended license.
“We’re very grateful for the community members observing this and calling 911,” Merkl said. “They did a great job of providing information.”