A year-long investigation into the 2023 shooting death of 25-year-old Bradley Smith near Silverdale has led to the arrest of a Poulsbo man on suspicion of first-degree manslaughter.
Law enforcement took the suspect, identified through in-custody logs as 24-year-old Zachery Ian Streun, into custody. He was booked into the Kitsap County Jail in Port Orchard Sept. 30.
The arrest came just over one year after deputies found Smith dead from a gunshot wound to the head while investigating a single-vehicle crash near the intersection of Tracyton Boulevard NW and NW Selbo Road. Streun, the passenger in the vehicle, had claimed the fatal wound was accidental and self-inflicted, yet after “extensive forensic testing and investigation” it was concluded that Smith’s fatal injury could not have happened that way.
Bail was $500,000 as he appeared in Kitsap County Superior Court Oct. 1. He faces life in prison and a $50,000 fine.
Court records show Kitsap deputies responded Sept. 23, 2023, to the 8700 block of Tracyton Boulevard NW in Bremerton at 9:08 p.m.
Streun was lying on the ground complaining of pain to his midsection and wearing a bloody shirt. He said the driver had killed himself. Smith had a gunshot wound to the head. There was a firearm on the driver side of the vehicle. The officer’s report says there was blood on the driver’s door. Airbags were deployed as the vehicle had crashed into a utility pull after taking out mailboxes.
The deputy’s report alleges Streun smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and watery eyes. He said he had drank a few beers and a few shots.
Streun said he and Smith had known each other for years and were good friends. They had been partying and while driving to another location Smith was waving a gun around in the car. They were listening to music and jamming out. Streun said he thought Smith didn’t realize there was a round in the chamber. He pulled the trigger, and they crashed.
Smith was supposed to move to Florida the next day so bags were packed and in the car. Smith was looking forward to that so Streun could not think of a reason Smith would shoot himself; he felt it was an accident.
An autopsy says the gun was an “intermediate distance” away when fired. Later testing said 10-15 inches. Deputies did a reconstruction of the shooting. They allege a person would have to flex his wrist and rotate his arm excessively. Therefore, “It was unlikely he fired the gun at himself.” Also, Smith was left-handed and the gunshot was to the right side of his head. The report concludes “it is not possible bimedically” for him to have shot himself.
A social media video made earlier the evening of the shooting alleges Streun had a gun similar to what was found in the car, and he was flailing it around recklessly, reports say.
