Moses Lake teen to be tried as adult in murder case

A Moses Lake teenager will be tried as an adult in a murder case, according to information from the Grant County Superior Court Clerk’s Office.

Dominick D. Kultgen, 17, was charged Oct. 29 with premeditated first-degree murder by the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office. He had his first court appearance Nov. 2 and his arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 16.

Juveniles can be tried as adults in Washington, according to law, including when the suspect is at least 15 and is charged with a serious violent offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030, which includes murder; when the suspect is 14 or younger and is charged with murder in the first degree (RCW 9A.32.030), and/or murder in the second degree (RCW 9A.32.050).

Kultgen allegedly killed Brandon D. Dick, 21, of Moses Lake sometime overnight between Sept. 7 and Sept. 8, police said.

A man walking his dog saw Dick’s body at about 10:24 a.m. in a marshy area north of Montlake Park, which is at 401 Linden Ave. The person then called 911.

Dick’s death was caused by a single gunshot wound to the head, according to the Grant County Coroner’s Office.

Moses Lake police arrested Kultgen Nov. 1. He is in custody with a $1.5 million bail.

Emily Thornton can be reached via email at ethornton@columbiabasinherald.com.