In an unfolding tragedy in Washington, a 15-year-old boy stands accused of shooting his parents and three siblings, attempting to shift blame onto his younger brother. According to a surviving sister, who managed to escape by pretending to be dead, it was the older brother responsible for the horrific act. This revelation came to light in a court document released on Thursday.
The teenager faces five counts of aggravated murder in juvenile court, with proceedings bound by state law to determine whether the case will be moved to adult court. The 11-year-old sister, who survived the shooting and fled to a neighbor’s house for help, disclosed to investigators that her brother had recently faced disciplinary issues at school due to failing tests. She noted that the handgun used in the attack belonged to their father and was secured in a lock box—of which the 15-year-old was the only sibling who knew the combination.
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 by King County Sheriff’s Detective Aaron Thompson, the defendant called 911 around 5 a.m. on Monday, claiming that his 13-year-old brother had shot their family after allegedly being reprimanded for viewing pornography. Minutes later, a neighbor reported that the injured 11-year-old had come to their home, relaying that her brother had committed the shootings.
Upon arrival, deputies detained the 15-year-old outside their home and discovered the bodies inside. The surviving sister received treatment at a Seattle hospital and has since been discharged, as confirmed by a hospital spokesperson.
The accused teenager waived his right to a court appearance on Tuesday. His attorneys stated in court that he has no previous criminal record, although they have yet to respond to inquiries regarding the recent charges.
A court appearance is scheduled for Friday afternoon.
Mark Humiston, one of the victims, was an accomplished electrical engineer at Hargis Engineers in Seattle. In the wake of the tragedy, the firm expressed their shock and sorrow in a statement: “We are blindsided and saddened by the tragic events that have led to 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 within our firm, and he will be greatly missed.”
