15-year-old charged with first-degree murder of his parents and three siblings in Fall City

SEATTLE— The 15-year-old boy is charged with fatality shooting five family members in their Fall City home Monday morning was charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder Thursday afternoon.

Prosecutors charged the 15-year-old on Thursday with five counts of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. According to court documents, the attempted murder charge involves a firearm, and each of the six charges carries a domestic violence designation.

The teenager, whom KOMO News is not naming because he is being tried as a minor, is accused of killing five members of his immediate family.

King County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the shooting victims as 7-year-old Katheryn Humiston, 9-year-old Joshua Humiston, 13-year-old Benjamin Humiston, 43-year-old Mark Humiston and 42-year-old Sarah Humiston.

The boy’s case will be heard in the juvenile court from Thursday. However, the case may be moved to adult court after a judge hears from both the defense and prosecutors.

“A judge must consider the interests of the public and the interests of the defendant,” wrote Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. “The judge may refer the case to adult court for any reason.”

McNerthney further noted that if the case remains in juvenile court, the 15-year-old could only be held without further sanctions until age 25 — less than a decade away. However, if convicted in adult court, the teen will be sentenced to “25 years to life with statutory presumption of release after 25 years.”

According to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the 15-year-old waived his right to appear in person during a scheduled court appearance on Tuesday and was instead represented by attorneys.

According to court documents, when the 15-year-old called 911 he sounded “out of breath” and said, “He just shot my whole family and also killed himself.” During the 911 call, he claimed that his brother had killed their family and “got himself out,” and that he was currently hiding in the bathroom on the main floor of the house.

Court documents also revealed that the 15-year-old told police that a possible motive for his brother killing everyone was that he had been caught watching pornographic videos the night before and that he was about to get in trouble to come.

Court documents show the 15-year-old’s next court appearance will be at the Clark Child and Family Justice Center on October 25 at 1:30 p.m.

BACKGROUND

Judge Joe Campagna on Tuesday found probable cause in five counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder to keep the teen in secure detention and from having contact with “surviving relatives of the immediate family.”

According to the King County Sheriff’s Office, deputies found the bodies of two adults and three juveniles in a home on the 7700 block of Lake Alice Road Southeast, near the Lake Alice public boat launch, after multiple 911 callers had just reported a possible shooting. before 5 a.m. Monday in the Fall City area of King County.

At a press conference Monday afternoonKCSO spokesman Mike Mellis clarified that there were initial reports of a suicide incident by “hanging.” Mellis said after their preliminary investigation, they determined the situation was not a suicide.

Mellis said that when officers arrived at the home, the incident had already ended. Upon arrival, officers immediately cordoned off the accident scene and entered the home.

The neighborhood is quiet and there isn’t much crime or police activity, Mellis said. A general search of the address revealed that KCSO deputies have not responded to significant incidents at the home in the past and that it is not a “problem home.”

A spokesperson for Hargis Engineers confirmed to KOMO News that Mark Humiston was a professional electrical engineer within the company and described him as a “valued member” of the company.

The girl who survived the incident was confirmed to be an 11-year-old, a source told KOMO News. She went to a neighbor’s house for medical attention before authorities arrived. On Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson for UW Medicine said she had been released from the hospital.

A community meeting is planned Saturday for Snoqualmie Valley residents to process their grief after five people were killed in their Fall City home.

Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church will host the event Saturday at 10 a.m. Pastor Baly Botten told KOMO News this is an opportunity for the community to come together. He said the church, which seats about 450, is hosting the event.