15-year-old charged with premeditated murder of his parents, 3 siblings in Fall City
SEATTLE — The 15-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting five family members Monday morning inside their Fall City home was charged with multiple counts of premeditated murder Thursday afternoon.
Prosecutors charged the 15-year-old Thursday with five counts of first-degree aggravated murder and first-degree attempted murder. According to court documents, the attempted murder charge has a firearm enhancement, and each of the six charges has a domestic violence designation.
The teen, who KOMO News is not naming because he's being tried as a juvenile, is accused of killing five members of his immediate family.
The King County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victims of the shooting 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 handled 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 respondent," wrote Casey McNerthney, a spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. "The judge may move the case to adult court for either reason."
ALSO SEE:3 juveniles, 2 adults killed in Fall City shooting identified
McNerthney continued to note that if the case remains in juvenile court,the 15-year-old could only be held until age 25 – less than 10 years from now – with no further sanctions. However, if he's convicted as charged 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 Prosecuting Attorney's Office, the 15-year-old waived his right to appear in person at a scheduled court appearance on Tuesday and was represented by defense attorneys instead.
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 committed suicide too." During the conversation with the 911 operator, he claimed his brother had killed their family and "taken himself out," and that he was currently hiding in the bathroom on the main floor of the home.
Court documents also revealed the 15-year-old told police that a possible motive for his brother killing everyone was that he'd been caught looking at pornographic videos the night before and was about to get in a lot of trouble.
Court documents state the 15-year-old's next court appearance will is scheduled to occur at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 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 first-degree attempted murder to hold the teen in secure detention and have no contact with "surviving family members of the immediate family."
According to the King County Sheriff's Office, deputies found the bodies of two adults and three juveniles at a home on the 7700 block of Lake Alice Road Southeast, which is near the Lake Alice public boat launch, after multiple 911 callers 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 spokesperson Mike Mellis clarified that there were initial reports about a suicide incident by "hanging." Mellis said after their preliminary investigation they determined the situation was not a suicide.
Mellis said when deputies arrived at the home, the incident had already concluded. Deputies immediately secured the scene on arrival and entered the home.
The neighborhood is quiet and does not see 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 house."
A spokesperson for Hargis Engineers confirmed to KOMO News that Mark Humiston was a professional electrical engineer within the firm 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 help before authorities arrived. On Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson with UW Medicine said she had been discharged from the hospital.
A community gathering is scheduled Saturday for Snoqualmie Valley residents to process their grief after five people were murdered inside their Fall City home.
The Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church will host the 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 church, which seats about 450, is hosting the event.