Spokane Officials Claim Robbery, Not Race, Motive for Fatal Beating of Veteran

After arresting the second suspect in the fatal beating of a decorated World War II vet, police say it was a robbery that escalated out of control.

Spokane Police Chief Frank Staub said in a press conference that the arrest of 16-year-old Kenan Adams-Kenard was the result of following up on dozens of tips, and police have built what he said was a "solid" case against the suspect.

Kenard was arrested around 3 a.m. without incident in a basement apartment on West Montgomery Ave.   He is facing felony robbery and murder charges.  Police earlier captured 16-year-old Demetrius Glenn in connection with the beating death of 88-year-old Delbert Benton.  He was found in his car the Eagles Ice Arena on Lidgerwood nearly a week ago, suffering from severe head wounds.  The suspects allegedly beat the man with flashlights.  Three other people have been arrested, according to police, for rendering assistance to the two suspects.

Police claim it was not gang-related.   According to sources, Spokane authorities have already received threats against the two suspects.