By Pepper Fisher

SEQUIM – A routine police stop Thursday morning in Sequim resulted in shots fired but no one seriously injured. According to Sheriff Bill Benedict, the suspect, 34-year-old Bret Kenney, is being questioned in relation to a homicide investigation at his home near Sequim.

Kenney is being held without charges in Clallam County jail. Sheriff Benedict says a suspect can be held for up to 72 hours without charges.

Just after 8:30 Thursday morning, Clallam County law enforcement received a request for a welfare check on a woman in the 100 block of Senz Road near Sequim. Investigators learned this is Kenney’s residence. Officers with the Port Angeles Police Department responded and found a deceased woman. Investigators are treating it as a homicide.

Earlier, news releases from the Sequim City Attorney’s office and Captain Randy Plumb from the Bremerton Police Dept. say the morning incident started with a routine traffic stop at 4:30am. A Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived to assist 7 minutes later. For reasons we do not know, the situation rapidly escalated and became physical, which then led to gun shots. Kenney was apprehended with the help of bystanders, taken to the hospital for evaluation and released to police custody.

The officer was evaluated and released with minor to moderate injuries. Third and Washington Streets were temporarily closed for the investigation.

A witness who wishes to remain anonymous told KONP that Kenney was restrained by at least two passersby.

Because this was an officer-involved shooting, an Independent Investigative Team has been called in to take over the investigation. The Kitsap Critical Incident Response Team has their own public information officer, and we’re told that Captain Randy Plumb of the Bremerton Police Department will be the only source of information going forward.

Kenney, the suspect, made news in 2017 when he savagely attacked three Snohomish County corrections deputies inside the Everett jail. He was facing a third strike and life in prison if convicted of assault in those attacks. Why he was not convicted is not known at this time. This is a developing story.

(Staff photo by Amanda Bacon)