A significant development has emerged in the probe into the February passing of a 73-year-old resident of Clallam County, with law enforcement apprehending a 46-year-old man from Port Angeles on murder-related charges after a large-scale, coordinated effort.
Clinton Laverne King was detained without incident on Thursday, May 14, and processed into Clallam County Jail later that afternoon. Jail logs show he was officially booked at 1:03 p.m., charged with second-degree murder.
This detention caps an extended inquiry that has seen the execution of over 45 search warrants, as noted by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
King stands accused in the fatal shooting of Danny Steven Kendrick, whose remains were found February 21 at a residence in the 6300 block of Deer Park Road. Autopsy findings confirmed blunt-force and gunshot trauma, prompting authorities to formally designate the incident a homicide on March 5.
Investigation progress accelerated sharply on Thursday, when detectives identified a vehicle linked to the incident near Black Diamond Road. Teams from the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team conducted surveillance and tracked the vehicle to a home in the 1300 block of West 16th Street. There, officers spotted a man matching King’s appearance approaching the property.
With probable cause already established for second-degree murder, investigators secured a search and arrest warrant for the residence and activated the Peninsula Crisis Response Team in anticipation of a high-risk operation.
As a precautionary measure, Stevens Middle School—located adjacent to the target area—implemented a modified lockdown while the response unfolded.
Detectives noticed King was about to depart on a motorcycle before the Crisis Response Team arrived in full force. To avoid a possible high-speed chase and protect surrounding residents, deputies intervened promptly, securing King outside the residence without incident. A vehicle thought to have played a role in the homicide was also collected as key evidence.
Thursday’s arrest follows an earlier high-risk search conducted Monday, May 11, at a residence in the 1300 block of West 9th Street. That operation yielded further materials connected to Kendrick’s death.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged collaboration from multiple partners, including the Port Angeles Police Department, OPNET, the Peninsula Crisis Response Team, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air & Marine Division, and the Washington State Patrol’s Crime Scene Response Team and Crime Laboratory.
Investigators continue to invite public input, urging anyone with relevant details to reach out via the sheriff’s non-emergency dispatch line at 360-417-2459 or through the department’s online tip submission portal.