One arrested for firing shots at car in Kennewick

KENNEWICK, Wash.-- One man was arrested in Kennewick Friday morning shortly after allegedly firing several shots at a car as part of what police are calling a domestic violence incident.

Kennewick Police responded to the area of 1st and Rainier St., just south of Kennewick Ave., just after 11:00 am for a report of several shots fired.

Investigators say they recovered several shell casings, and at least one bullet had struck an unoccupied pick-up.

Witnesses told officers that the suspected shooter was driving a silver Toyota Tundra that was pulling a boat.

Officers located the suspect vehicle at a home just a few blocks away. While police were getting into position to approach the house on N. Olympia just north of Kennewick Ave., the subject called dispatchers to ask if he should walk out and talk to the officers.

The man exited the home and surrendered to police without incident.

Another man and a woman also exited the home, and were questioned but not detained.

After the investigation, police determined that the original caller who reported the shots fire had brandished a firearm first, after which the male half brandished his own gun, and one of the weapons fired.

Cynthia Mendoza, 29, was arrested and booked into the Benton County Jail for suspicion of 2nd degree Assault 2nd and Domestic Violence.

(This post was updated to correct information that police provided at the scene, stating that the male half was arrested for suspected domestic violence.)