A 15-year-old boy in Washington state, accused of fatally shooting his parents and three siblings in their upscale Fall City home, appeared in court Friday as authorities shared chilling details about the tragic incident.
The teen faces five counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder after Monday’s deadly rampage, which unfolded in Fall City, approximately 25 miles east of Seattle. Deputies discovered the bodies of his parents, Mark and Sarah Humiston, along with three siblings ages 7, 9, and 13, upon arrival at the scene.
Prosecutors have requested a hearing to determine if the teen should be tried as an adult, with a plea scheduled for June 4.
According to court documents, the teenager allegedly used his father’s gun, stored in a lockbox. Investigators claim that the teen was the only one in the household who knew the lockbox code.
An 11-year-old sister, the sole survivor, reportedly escaped by playing dead. Around 5 a.m. on Monday, the teen called 911, claiming his brother had “shot my whole family and committed suicide.” However, authorities allege he shot his family members, then altered the scene to make it appear as if his brother was responsible.
The surviving sister told investigators that she woke to gunshots, saw her father and a sibling in the hallway, and witnessed the suspect shoot another sibling. She recalled seeing the weapon as her father’s silver Glock, typically stored near the front door. After the suspect shot at her, she pretended to be dead, holding her breath until she could flee through her bedroom window to a neighbor’s house, where emergency services were contacted.
The sister reported that the suspect had recently “gotten into a lot of trouble” over failing school tests. His defense attorney, Amy Parker, stated that community members have spoken positively of the teen’s character, noting that he is known to be “kind and caring” with many friends.
A next court date is set for January 8.
The small community of Fall City, which has around 2,000 residents, is mourning the tragedy. Pastor Carrie Bland expressed the community’s unity during this difficult time, with churches offering support services. Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church is scheduled to host a grief and mental health session with law enforcement, where residents can gather information and receive emotional support.
In response to this tragedy, Bland plans to shift her church’s upcoming service focus to grief, loss, and mental health resources. She expressed hope that, as the holidays approach, families will use this time to come together and value their loved ones.
The case also underscores concerns over children’s access to firearms. Jennifer Dolan-Waldman of Grandmothers Against Gun Violence highlighted that guns are now a leading cause of death among children in the U.S. Recent high-profile cases, including school shootings in Georgia and Michigan, have seen parents prosecuted for providing minors with access to guns.
The incident in Washington marks ten years since the tragic shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, where a 15-year-old student fatally shot four people with his father’s gun. More recently, parents of the Apalachee High School shooter in Georgia and the Oxford High School shooter in Michigan have faced legal repercussions for not securing firearms from their children.
Washington state ranks ninth for gun laws, with a rate of 12 gun deaths per 100,000 residents, slightly below the national average. However, the nation’s high gun ownership rate – with nearly 40% of civilian-held firearms globally – remains a concern, as firearms can easily cross state lines despite varied laws across the U.S.
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