A 15-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting his parents and three siblings near Seattle allegedly tried to place the blame on his younger brother. However, an 11-year-old sister who survived by pretending to be dead escaped to a neighbor’s house and revealed the true shooter to authorities, according to court documents released Thursday.
Charged with Five Counts of Aggravated Murder
The teen has been charged in juvenile court with five counts of aggravated murder, though Washington state law requires a hearing to determine if he will be tried as an adult. His 11-year-old sister told investigators the boy had recently been in trouble at school and was the only one who knew the code to their father’s gun lockbox.
Victims Identified by Authorities
The King County Medical Examiner identified the victims as Sarah Humiston, 42, Mark Humiston, 43, and their children Katheryn, 7, Joshua, 9, and Benjamin, 13. According to an affidavit, the suspect called 911 around 5 a.m. Monday, claiming his 13-year-old brother had committed the shootings due to a punishment. However, the 11-year-old’s escape led to the truth being uncovered.
Legal Proceedings and Community Mourning
The 15-year-old waived his right to appear in court on Tuesday, with his defense team noting he had no prior criminal history. His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday. Mark Humiston, an electrical engineer at Hargis Engineers in Seattle, was remembered by his firm as a respected colleague and friend.
