New video shows moments before fatal police-involved shooting in Kennewick

KENNEWICK, Washington — KEPR Action News has obtained new video from Kennewick Police showing officers engaging with a man accused of stealing half a dozen cars in less than 24 hours. The altercation led to an officer-involved shooting and the man died.

It all started on May 31, 2023, when a Kennewick woman reported her 2015 Cadillac stolen. A few days later, on June 4, Kennewick police spotted the car in the early morning hours and tried to stop it, but the driver sped away and even rammed patrol cars to escape.

The 32-year-old driver, later identified as Jeffrey Reeder of Kennewick, evaded capture throughout the day. Reeder stole over a half-dozen cars from the Tri-Cities. Police said officers were unable to pursue Reeder due to strict pursuit laws in effect in Washington state at the time.

In the video, Reeder is seen eventually leaving the stolen car he was in, going into a garage, and then stealing a gun and yet another car. Later that day, police say, Reeder used that gun to steal someone else's car in Kennewick.

According to police, Reeder also returned to the home of one of his victims, confronted her, pointed a gun at her and then ran her over with a car.

About three hours later, Reeder stole his last car – an Audi A-7 parked in a garage. Officers spotted the car several times over the next few hours, but kept losing sight of it until Reeder was seen later that evening in the Denny's parking lot on Highway 395.

Reeder sped through several parking lots in the area before turning west onto Canal Street, eventually coming to a stop on the lawn in front of the Bank of America building.

Reeder then jumped out of the car and ran on foot down a gravel embankment before attempting to steal someone else's car in the nearby US Bank parking lot.

The video then shows a Benton County Sheriff's deputy getting out of his car and pursuing Reeding before later opening fire.

Reeder was hit and police officers rushed to his aid and treated his wounds before paramedics arrived. He was taken to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.