15-year-old Washington boy accused of killing parents, three siblings tried to blame younger brother, police say

A 15 year old boy accused of murdering his parents and three of his siblings East of Seattle this week, he tried to pin the killings on his younger brother, but a sister who survived after playing dead escaped to a neighbor’s home and told police who really carried out the shootings, authorities said. authorities in a court document made public Thursday.

The boy was charged in juvenile court on Thursday with five counts of aggravated murder. Under Washington state law, a hearing is required before the case can be moved to adult court.

The 11-year-old sister who survived Monday’s shooting told investigators that the 15-year-old had recently gotten in trouble for failing tests at school and that the gun he used belonged to their father. Of all the children, she said, he was the only one who knew the code to the key box where their father kept it.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victims as Sarah Humiston, 42, Mark Humiston, 43, and their children Katheryn Humiston, 7, Joshua Humiston, 9, and Benjamin Humiston, 13.

According to an affidavit by King County Detective Aaron Thompson, the defendant called 911 around 5 a.m. Monday to report that his 13-year-old brother had shot and killed their family in their Fall City home because he had intruded. difficulty watching pornography.

A neighbor called 911 a few minutes later and said the injured 11-year-old had come to the house and reported that her family had been shot by her 15-year-old brother and that she had played dead before escaping, the affidavit said.

Arriving officers stopped the 15-year-old in the driveway and found the bodies inside. The 11-year-old was treated at a Seattle hospital and has since been released, a hospital spokesperson said.

The 15-year-old waived his right to appear in court on Tuesday, the King County Prosecutor’s Office said. His lawyers said in court that he has no criminal history. His attorneys did not immediately respond to a message Thursday seeking comment on the charges.

Mark Humiston worked as an electrical engineer at Hargis Engineers in Seattle.

“We are blindsided and saddened by the tragic events that led to the loss of a respected colleague, mentor and friend, as well as the loss of immediate family members,” the company said in a statement Thursday. “Mark’s leadership and vision were an integral part of our company, and he will be greatly missed.”

— The Associated Press