In the spring of 2018, the life of Jacob Andrew Tague, an 18-year-old White/Caucasian male, came to a sudden and tragic end in Kennewick, Washington. On April 10, 2018, a Tuesday, Jacob was found at his home on South Edison Street. The Benton County Coroner's Office would later confirm that the young man had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The news of his death rippled through his community, leaving friends and family to grapple with the unexpected loss.
Kennewick police were involved in the investigation, a standard procedure in such cases, but the circumstances did not point toward foul play.
Jacob, or "Jake" as he was known to friends, was a senior at Kennewick High School, on the cusp of graduation and the adventures of young adulthood. He had moved to Kennewick four years prior from Phoenix, Arizona, and had built a life for himself in the Tri-Cities area. He was an employee at a local Fred Meyer, balancing work with his studies. His life was filled with the passions typical of a teenager; he loved playing video games, riding his longboard, watching "Dragonball Z," and spending time with his friends and his dogs. His passing left a void in the lives of his parents, step-parents, and siblings.
The following morning, the somber news was shared with the student body at Kennewick High School. During homeroom, teachers informed the students of their classmate's death. The school's principal acknowledged the difficulty of the news and the impact it would have on the students and staff. In response to the tragedy, the school district took immediate action, bringing in the Benton Franklin Crisis Response Team. Counselors were made available to meet with any students who needed support in processing their grief, providing a space for them to talk and mourn their lost friend.
While police investigated the death, the official determination was that Jacob had died by suicide. As a result, there was no search for suspects and no arrests were made in connection with his death. The focus for the community shifted from a criminal investigation to one of mourning and remembrance. A memorial service was held later that month at Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities, where family, friends, and classmates gathered to honor the memory of a young man whose time with them was far too short.
