Revenge cited in Snohomish killing; three teens held

EVERETT – Revenge was the apparent motive in the killing of a man, authorities said following the arrest of three teenagers, including the 15-year-old son of his ex-girlfriend.

Lawrence Kloes, 49, an electrician, was afraid of the teen, whom he had tried to help, only to be threatened with retaliation after he reported the boy to police for thefts and break-ins, relatives and investigators said.

“It’s amazing that the boy wasn’t behind bars. He shouldn’t have been out on the street,” said James Kloes of Snohomish, his brother.

“Larry was scared of the kid … somebody should have come and protected him when he said he wanted help.”

Bail was set Monday at $1 million for the 15-year-old; Perry Rothermel, 18, of Tacoma, a wrestler and recent high school graduate, and a 16-year-old. All were arrested the previous night for investigation of first-degree murder.

Larry Kloes’ former wife, Roxanne Kloes, 51, found him beaten and shot to death Saturday at his home in Snohomish.