A child about to celebrate her 5th birthday died after choking on food at the Kennewick Costco Wholesale store on Sunday.
Benton County Coroner Bill Leach confirmed the girl died but did not release her name. She was 4 years, 11 months old.
A large crowd was present when the girl apparently choked on food she was eating at the food court located at the front of the store off Gage Boulevard in Kennewick.
The incident was reported as a medical emergency about 3:35 p.m. Leach said medics managed to dislodge the piece of food but she couldn't be revived.
The incident briefly closed the Tri-Cities' lone Costco store.
Local store officials had no comment but confirmed it planned to reopen Monday for business at 10 a.m.
A spokeswoman for Issaquah-based Costco Wholesale Corp. could not be reached about the incident.
