A 15-year-old accused of the premeditated murder of his parents and three siblings in Fall City

SEATTLE – 15-year-old charged with death five family members were shot to death in their Fall City home on Monday morning on Thursday afternoon, he was charged with multiple premeditated murders.

Prosecutors on Thursday charged the 15-year-old with five counts of aggravated first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Court documents show the attempted murder charge is aggravated by a firearm, and each of the six charges has a domestic violence reference.

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

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

The boy’s case has been pending in juvenile court since Thursday. However, the case may be transferred to adult court after the judge hears from both the defense and prosecutors.

“The judge must consider the best interests of the public and the best interests of the defendant,” wrote Casey McNerthney, a spokeswoman for the King County Attorney’s Office. “A judge can transfer a case to adult court for any reason.”

McNerthney continued to note that if the case remains in juvenile court, the 15-year-old will only be able to remain in custody until he turns 25 – less than 10 years away – without further sanctions. However, if convicted on the charges brought against him in adult court, the teen would be sentenced to “25 years to life with a statutory presumption of release after 25 years.”

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

Court documents say that when the 15-year-old called 911, he appeared “out of breath” and said, “he just shot my whole family and committed suicide too.” During the call to the 911 operator, he claimed that his brother had killed their family and “moved out” and that he was currently hiding in the downstairs bathroom of the house.

Court documents also revealed that the 15-year-old told police that his brother’s possible motive for killing everyone was that he had been caught watching pornography the night before and would soon get into serious trouble.

Court documents show the 15-year-old’s next hearing will be Oct. 25 at 1:30 p.m. 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 teenager in a safe place and have no contact with “surviving members of his immediate family.”

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

At a press conference on Monday afternoonKCSO spokesman Mike Mellis explained that there were initial reports of suicide by “hanging.” Mellis said after an initial investigation it was determined it was not a suicide.

Mellis said that when deputies arrived at the home, the incident was over. Immediately after arriving at the scene, the services secured the scene and entered the house.

Mellis said the area is quiet and doesn’t see much crime or police activity. A general check of the address revealed that KCSO deputies had no history of significant incidents at the home and it was not a “problem home.”

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

It was confirmed that the girl who survived the incident was 11 years old, a source told KOMO News. Before authorities arrived, she went to a neighbor’s house for medical attention. On Wednesday afternoon, a UW Medicine spokesman said she had been discharged from the hospital.

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

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