15-year-old charged with premeditated murder of parents, 3 siblings in Fall City

SEATTLE— The 15-year-old boy accused of death shooting five family members Monday morning inside their Fall City home He was charged with multiple counts of premeditated murder Thursday afternoon.

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

The teen, who KOMO News is not naming because he is being tried as a juvenile, is accused of killing five members of his immediate family.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office 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.

As of Thursday, the boy’s case is being processed in juvenile court. However, the case could be moved to adult court after a judge hears from both the defense and prosecutors.

“A judge must consider the best interest of the public and the best interest of the defendant,” wrote Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the King County Prosecutor’s Office. “The judge can move the case to adult court for any reason.”

SEE ALSO:They identify 3 minors and 2 adults killed in shooting in Fall City

McNerthney went on to note that if the case remains in juvenile court, the 15-year-old could only be detained until age 25 (less than 10 years away) without further sanctions. However, if convicted in adult court, the teen would be sentenced to “25 years to life in prison with a legal presumption of release after 25 years.”

According to the King County Prosecutor’s Office, the 15-year-old waived his right to appear in person at a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday and was instead represented by defense attorneys.

According to court documents, when the 15-year-old called 911, he seemed “out of breath” and said, “he just shot my whole family and also killed himself.” During the conversation with the 911 operator, he stated that his brother had killed his family and “got away” and 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 was about to get into a lot of trouble.

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

BACKGROUND

On Tuesday, Judge Joe Campagna found probable cause on five counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder to keep the teen in secure detention and not have 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 in the 7700 block of Lake Alice Road Southeast, which is near the Lake Alice public boat launch, after several people who Callers to 911 reported a possible shooting just before 5 a.m. Monday in the Fall City area of ​​King County.

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

Mellis said that by the time officers arrived at the home, the incident was over. Officers immediately secured the scene upon arrival 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 showed that KCSO deputies have not responded to any significant incidents in the past at the home and 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 11 years old, a source told KOMO News. He went to a neighbor’s house to seek medical help before authorities arrived. On Wednesday afternoon, a UW Medicine spokesperson said she had been discharged from the hospital.

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

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