Gunshots fired at Kennewick standoff; suspect dead

KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) — Police say a man involved in a standoff with officers in Kennewick is dead after numerous gunshots were fired.

The Tri-City Herald reports that the standoff began around 3:30 a.m. Monday after police received a report of a suicidal man. When officers arrived, the suspect had three other people inside an apartment, including a 7-year-old and two women, all of whom escaped by jumping from a second-floor balcony.

Neighbors were evacuated from the apartment complex and several dozen gunshots were heard throughout the morning. Officers used their bodies to shield at least one of the escaping hostages from gunfire.

Sgt. Ken Lattin of the Kennewick Police Department said a bomb squad blew open the apartment door and sent in a robot, then found the man dead.