Samuel Carpenter Obituary, East Kennewick Shooting Update — Jose Luis Lemos was taken into custody following a deadly shooting in east Kennewick that left 20-year-old Samuel Carpenter dead and another adult man wounded.
The shooting transpired at approximately 3:10 a.m. Wednesday near 8th Avenue and Fir Street. Officers responding to the scene identified two adult male victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Carpenter was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second victim was transported to a hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The Tri-City Regional SWAT Team responded after witnesses noted that a person who may have been involved in the shooting had entered a nearby residence. Detectives subsequently obtained a search warrant and searched the home, but investigators did not locate a suspected participant there.
The probe continued into Thursday, when SWAT officers surrounded another residence near Kennewick Avenue and Yelm. A person of interest was taken into custody during the operation as detectives continued working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The person taken into custody was later identified as Jose Luis Lemos. He was booked into jail on a $1 million nationwide warrant granted by Judge Bronson Brown.
Sergeant Joe Pursley said investigators do not believe the shooting was gang-related. Officials have not released additional details regarding a possible motive, and the probe remains ongoing.
Detectives are continuing to review evidence and interview witnesses as they work to establish the full circumstances of the deadly shooting. Further information may be released as the investigation progresses.
Authorities have not indicated that the investigation is complete. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to cooperate with investigators and supply information through official law enforcement channels.
