The shooter of the family in Fall City, Washington, was a family member. A 15-year-old boy has been charged with killing five family members. One sister made it out alive by pretending she was dead. She named her brother as the shooter. The police are considering charging the teen as an adult.
Tragic Events Unfold in Fall City
In a shocking turn of events, a peaceful Seattle suburb became the scene of a gruesome family tragedy. The accused, a 15-year-old boy, allegedly used his father’s gun to kill his parents, Mark and Sarah Humiston, and three of his siblings: Benjamin (13), Joshua (9), and Katheryn (7). The murders took place in the family’s $2 million mansion in Fall City, Washington.
The investigation took a dramatic turn when the suspect allegedly attempted to stage the crime scene to make it appear that his 13-year-old brother had committed a murder-suicide. In a chilling 911 call, the teen claimed, “Just shot my entire family and committed suicide.”
FALL CITY TEEN CHARGED‼️: Court records reveal the 15-year-old accused of shooting and killing 5 family members tried to stage the scene to make it look like his younger brother shot his family.
The surviving 11-year-old sister escaped after being shot in the neck and hand. She… pic.twitter.com/0sPOgIDW8Z
— Savannah Welch (@svnnh_wlch) October 25, 2024
Heroic Sister Uncovers the Truth
The key to solving this horrific case came from an unexpected source: the suspect’s 11-year-old sister. Despite being shot, the young girl survived by “holding her breath and acting dead.” She escaped to a neighbor’s house and called 911, bravely identifying her brother as the shooter.
“The 15-year-old called 911 around 5 a.m. and said his brother had killed the family because he had gotten into trouble for looking at pornography,” said Leesa Manion, highlighting the suspect’s attempt to mislead authorities.
A 15-year-old boy allegedly killed five family members at their $2 million lakeside mansion in #FallCity, #Washington, about 30 miles east of #Seattle
Two adults & three young teens were found shot dead inside the home on Monday morning. One teenage girl survived after being… pic.twitter.com/Ibf6JENxIt
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) October 23, 2024
Investigation Reveals Inconsistencies
Detectives soon discovered inconsistencies in the suspect’s story. Forensic evidence revealed that the pistol allegedly used by the 13-year-old brother had not been fired, and blood spatter patterns did not correspond to the staged scene. The suspect was the only family member who knew how to get his father’s gun, which implicated him in the crimes.
“The suspect’s 11-year-old sister told detectives that he had recently gotten into trouble for failing some tests at school,” authorities reported, providing a glimpse into possible motives.
Legal proceedings and potential consequences
The 15-year-old now faces five counts of aggravated murder and one of attempted murder. He is currently being held in a juvenile detention facility in Seattle. The gravity of the charges has prompted prosecutors to consider trying the suspect as an adult, which could result in a life sentence with no possibility of release.
Public defenders describe the accused as “a 15-year-old boy who enjoys mountain biking and fishing and has no criminal history,” painting a stark contrast to the heinous crimes he’s alleged to have committed.
As the community copes with this tragedy, questions about motive and mental health loom large. The case is a chilling reminder of the potential for violence even in seemingly normal families, as well as the importance of recognizing and responding to warning signs in troubled youth.
