Kennewick murder suspect captured in motel

APNewsNow.

KENNEWICK – Authorities say officers arrested a Kennewick man suspected of murder after spotting his car in a motel parking lot.

The Tri-City Herald reports Pasco police were following a car Thursday night in an unrelated case when they saw a car linked to suspect Stephen Morfin.

Kennewick Sgt. Randy Maynard says the car matched the description of one allegedly seen leaving after the Sept. 11 shooting of Martin Ibanez.

Pasco Sgt. Chad Pettijohn says additional officers were called to arrest Morfin in one of the rooms early Friday.

Detectives believe Ibanez was in a Kennewick home’s driveway when Morfin allegedly got out his car and shot Ibanez several times before fleeing. Ibanez died later at a hospital.

Detectives haven’t revealed if there was a connection between Ibanez and Morfin.

Morfin was booked into jail on a 72-hour investigative hold for murder.