In the quiet stretch of U.S. Highway 97 near Orondo, Washington, a grim discovery was made on the morning of November 12, 2025. Adnan A. Abouammo, a 68-year-old man from East Wenatchee, was found unresponsive in his vehicle on the shoulder of the highway. First responders arrived at the scene, about seven miles south of the Beebe Bridge, shortly after noon, but their life-saving efforts were in vain.
Abouammo was pronounced dead at the scene, having sustained what appeared to be several gunshot wounds. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office immediately launched a homicide investigation, closing a portion of the highway for several hours as detectives processed the scene.
Originally from Lebanon, Abouammo had immigrated to the United States in the 1970s and built a life in the Wenatchee Valley. He was a well-known and respected member of the community, described by his family as an upstanding citizen. He was an entrepreneur who had owned several businesses, including a precious metals shop and a business that rented inflatable party amusements. More recently, he served as the executive director of TranCare, a nonprofit organization providing non-emergency medical transportation. His daughter remembered him as a charitable man, devoted to helping the elderly. He was also a passionate advocate for youth soccer, co-founding a local club to provide affordable access to the sport. He is survived by his wife and nine children.
The investigation into Abouammo's death quickly led to a suspect. On the morning of November 14, a 16-year-old male was arrested in Bridgeport, a town about 40 miles from where Abouammo's body was found. The arrest was made during the execution of a search warrant at a residence. The teenage suspect was booked into jail for second-degree murder in connection with Abouammo's death.
Authorities have not yet released a motive for the killing or detailed the evidence that led them to the teenage suspect. It is also unclear if Abouammo and the suspect were acquainted. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has stated that the investigation is active and ongoing as they continue to pursue leads and interview potential witnesses. An autopsy for Abouammo was scheduled to determine the exact cause of death. The community has been left to mourn a man who was a significant part of their lives, while the legal process for the young suspect begins.
