11-year-old girl survived US shooting by 'playing dead' while her 15-year-old brother was accused of killing five family members | US News

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with five counts of aggravated murder after his parents and three of his siblings were shot.

The incident occurred at a home in east Seattle, Washington, and the unnamed defendant allegedly tried to blame his younger brother for the attack.

However, his injured 11-year-old sister is believed to have survived by playing dead and fled to a neighbor who called police, according to an affidavit from King County Sheriff's Detective Aaron Thompson.

Mark Humiston, 43, his wife Sarah Humiston, 42, and their children Katheryn Humiston, 7, Joshua Humiston, 9, and Benjamin Humiston, 13, were identified as the victims by the King County Medical Examiner's Office.

The 11-year-old sister told investigators that the defendant had recently gotten into trouble for failing school exams and that the gun he allegedly used belonged to her father.

Of all the children, he was the only one who knew the code to the locker where the gun was kept, the unnamed girl added.

According to the affidavit, police received a 911 call from the defendant around 5 a.m. on Monday.

He said his 13-year-old brother shot their family in Fall City because he got in trouble for watching pornography.

But then a few minutes later the neighbor called 911 and reported the younger sister's version.

Officers arrived at the scene and arrested the 15-year-old in the driveway before finding the bodies inside.

The 11-year-old was treated in hospital before being released.

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According to the King County Prosecutor's Office, the defendant waived his right to appear in court on Tuesday, but his attorneys said he had no prior criminal record.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday afternoon.

Mark Humiston worked as an electrical engineer at Hargis Engineers.

The company said in a statement: “We are surprised and saddened by the tragic events that resulted in the loss of a respected colleague, mentor and friend, as well as the loss of immediate family members.”

“Mark’s leadership and vision were integral to our company and we will miss him greatly.”