Dispute at a family graduation celebration ends with deadly shooting

One man is dead, and another is in police custody after a family celebration in Kent ended with a shooting.

Police arrested a 40-year-old suspect at a family graduation celebration after a 41-year-old man was shot multiple times.

It happened at a home in the 900 block of E. Cherry Hill St., a half mile east of downtown Kent.

Police officers, Puget Sound Fire personnel, and King County medics all tried to help the victim with life-saving first aid.

But he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say it happened when an argument between several people escalated into a fight.

Investigating officers say after the shooting, family members made sure the alleged shooter did not leave before they arrived.

Detectives are interviewing witnesses to determine what led to the fatal shooting.

Their preliminary investigation determined several people were involved in a verbal altercation that grew into a physical confrontation.

At some point, police say the suspect pulled out a gun and shot the victim.

Officers recovered the weapon and arrested the man, who is a Kent resident, without a struggle.

Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators spent the morning processing the scene for evidence and conducting interviews.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the identity of the victim after family members are notified.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about what happened who has not spoken with them yet to contact the Kent Police Department Tip Line at (253) 856-5808 or email KPDTipLine@kentwa.gov.