15-year-old charged with first-degree murder of his parents and three siblings in Fall City

SEATTLE- The 15-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting his five immediate family members at their Fall City home Monday morning was charged Thursday afternoon with multiple counts of first-degree intentional homicide.

The boy, who KOMO News cannot name at this time because he is being tried as a juvenile, is accused of killing Mark, Sarah, Joshua, Katheryn and Benjamin Humiston. The boy's case is currently being heard in juvenile court. However, the case could be moved to adult court after a judge hears from both the defense and prosecution.

“A judge must consider the best interest of the public and the best interest of the defendant,” wrote Casey McNerthney, a spokesman for the King County District Attorney’s Office. “The judge may transfer the case to adult court for either reason.”

SEE ALSO: 3 teens and 2 adults killed in Fall City shooting identified

McNerthney further pointed out that the 15-year-old could only be held until age 25 – less than ten years – without further sanctions if the case remained in juvenile court. However, if convicted as charged in adult court, the teen would be sentenced to “25 years to life in prison with a legal presumption of parole after 25 years.”

On Thursday, the 15-year-old was charged with five counts of first-degree premeditated murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. According to court documents, the attempted murder charge includes a firearms enhancement and each of the six charges includes a domestic violence designation.

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

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 also committed suicide.” During the call to 911, he claimed his brother had their family killed and “got himself 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 a possible motive for his brother killing everyone was that he had been caught watching pornographic videos the night before and was going to get in big trouble.

Court documents say the 15-year-old's next court appearance is scheduled for 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 secure custody and have no contact with “surviving immediate family members.”

According to the King County Sheriff's Office, officers found the bodies of two adults and three juveniles at a home in the 7700 block of Lake Alice Road Southeast, which is near the Lake Alice public boat launch, after several 911 callers had just reported a possible shooting 5 a.m. Monday in the Fall City area of ​​King County.

At a press conference Monday afternoon, KCSO spokesman Mike Mellis clarified that there were initial reports of a suicide-by-hanging incident. Mellis said after their preliminary investigation, they concluded the situation was not a suicide.

Mellis said when officers arrived at the home, the incident had already concluded. When they arrived, emergency services immediately secured the scene of the accident and entered the house.

The neighborhood is quiet and there is little crime or police activity, Mellis said. A general search of the address revealed that KCSO deputies have not responded to any significant incidents at the home in the past and it is not a “problem home.”

A spokesperson for Hargis Engineers confirmed to KOMO News that Mark Humiston is a professional electrical engineer at the company 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. Before authorities arrived, she went to a neighbor's house to get medical help. On Wednesday afternoon, a UW Medicine spokesperson said she had been released from the hospital.

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

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