Hands Up! Then Suspect Drops Concealed Illegal Shotgun

Kennewick police are searching for the victim and reporting person in a case where they were reportedly threatened with an illegal sawed off shotgun.

Shortly before 1AM Monday morning, police were called to an apartment complex in the 300 block of North Union Street, where they found the reporting person had left. However, other people were able to provide details of the suspect and the incident.

As police were questioning others, a man matching the description of the suspect left another apartment. Due to the nature of the situation, police ordered him to halt and put his hands in the air.  The suspect raised only one hand, and apparently tried to tell police he could not raise the other.

When police moved in and placed him in handcuffs, the pictured shotgun (illegally sawed off) fell out from under his sweatshirt. That was why he apparently could not raise his hand.  The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Jesus Lopez, is a convicted felon and is now in the Benton County Jail on a 72-hour investigative hold for illegal weapons possession. No doubt it will include an illegally sawed off shotgun.

Police are attempting to reach out to the suspect, his identity was learned, and hoping he will cooperate in the investigation.