A 21-year-old man is behind bars after deputies say a passenger was fatally shot inside a vehicle Sunday evening in Port Orchard, turning a roadside argument into a deadly scene in minutes.
According to the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, the men were in a vehicle when a verbal argument broke out. Deputies say the 21-year-old pulled out a handgun and later told investigators he believed it was unloaded after removing the magazine. A single round, still in the chamber, struck one of the passengers. Despite life-saving efforts, the victim died at the scene.
Deputies were called around 7:30 p.m. to reports of a shooting near Beach Drive East. Investigators say the driver immediately started heading toward a hospital to get help and called 911 while on the way. Deputies intercepted the vehicle at Onley Avenue East and East Washington Street. The victim was pronounced dead at 7:50 p.m., according to FOX 13 Seattle.
What deputies say
Investigators say the suspected shooter was a passenger in the car who removed the magazine from the firearm and “reportedly believed” the gun was empty. A round remained in the chamber, and one shot struck another passenger inside the vehicle. KIRO 7 reports that all three men in the car were about the same age and were cooperative with deputies.
Firearms manufacturers routinely warn that taking the magazine out of a handgun does not make it safe. The operator’s manual from Sig Sauer is blunt on this point: “REMOVING THE MAGAZINE FROM THE PISTOL DOES NOT PREVENT THE PISTOL FROM BEING FIRED.”
Legal process
The 21-year-old was booked into the Kitsap County Jail on suspicion of manslaughter and remains in custody while detectives continue their investigation, FOX 13 Seattle reports. The case has been referred to the Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review, according to local reporting. The sheriff’s office has not released the victim’s identity.
Investigators have released only limited details as the inquiry continues. This story will be updated as officials release more information.
