A Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office investigation into a fatal vehicle accident has resulted in the arrest of a 21-year-old local man on suspicion of manslaughter. The incident took place on Sunday evening around 7:30 p.m. near the 4200 block of Beach Drive E.
Deputies were dispatched to the area after receiving reports of a shooting involving three men traveling together in a single vehicle. Preliminary findings indicate that a verbal argument erupted among the occupants, leading the passenger, who is now the suspect, to retrieve a handgun.
The 21-year-old told investigators that he believed the weapon was empty because the magazine had been removed, apparently not realizing that a live cartridge remained in the chamber. A single bullet struck the victim during this exchange.
The driver initially attempted to drive the injured passenger to a local hospital before stopping the car and calling 911. Officers located the vehicle near the intersection of Onley Avenue E and E Washington Street.
Medical personnel arrived on the scene and performed immediate resuscitation efforts, but the victim was pronounced dead at 7:50 p.m. The suspect was taken into custody at the scene without resistance and was later booked into the Kitsap County Jail.
Detectives have completed their initial scene examination, and the case has been forwarded to the Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for a decision on formal charges. The victim’s identity has not yet been made public while next of kin are notified.