15-year-old Washington boy accused of killing parents, 3 brothers tried to blame younger brother, police say

A 15 year old boy accused of killing his parents and three of his brothers This week in East Seattle he tried to blame his younger brother for the murders, but a sister who survived after playing dead escaped to a neighbor’s house and told police who really carried out the shooting, authorities said. in a court document made public Thursday.

The boy was charged Thursday in juvenile court with five counts of aggravated murder. Under Washington state law, a hearing is required before the case can be moved to adult court.

The 11-year-old sister who survived Monday’s shooting told investigators that the 15-year-old boy had recently gotten in trouble for failing tests at school and that the gun he used belonged to their father. Of all the children, he said, he was the only one who knew the code to the safe where his father kept it.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victims as Sarah Humiston, 42, Mark Humiston, 43, and their children Katheryn Humiston, 7, Joshua Humiston, 9, and Benjamin Humiston, 13 .

According to a probable cause affidavit from King County Sheriff’s Detective Aaron Thompson, the defendant called 911 around 5 a.m. Monday to report that his 13-year-old brother had shot and killed his family at their home in Fall City because he had gotten in trouble for watching pornography.

A few minutes later, a neighbor called 911 saying the injured 11-year-old girl had come home reporting that her 15-year-old brother had shot her family and that she had played dead before escaping, according to the statement. sworn

Arriving officers stopped the 15-year-old in the driveway and found the bodies inside. The 11-year-old boy was treated at a Seattle hospital and has since been released, a hospital spokesperson said.

The 15-year-old boy waived his right to appear in court Tuesday, according to the King County Prosecutor’s Office. His defense attorneys said in court that he has no criminal record. His lawyers did not immediately respond to a message Thursday seeking comment on the charges.

Mark Humiston worked as an electrical engineer at Hargis Engineers in Seattle.

“We are shocked and saddened by the tragic events that have resulted in the loss of a respected colleague, mentor and friend, as well as the loss of immediate family members,” the company said in a statement Thursday. “Mark’s leadership and vision were an integral part of our company and he will be greatly missed.”

— The Associated Press