An 11-year-old girl in Fall City, Washington, survived a family massacre by feigning death, later escaping to a neighbor’s house where she identified her older brother as the gunman, court documents reveal.
Her quick thinking not only saved her life but also exposed an attempt by her 15-year-old brother to pin the murders on their younger sibling.
The teenager is now facing five counts of aggravated murder in juvenile court.
It is believed he initially called 911 at around 5 a.m. on Oct. 21, claiming his 13-year-old brother had shot their parents and two other siblings after being scolded for viewing inappropriate material online.
According to an affidavit from King County sheriff’s detective Aaron Thompson, the teen said he found his family dead upon waking and blamed his younger brother for the shootings.
Shortly after, a neighbor called the emergency services when the injured 11-year-old appeared at their door, reporting that her older brother had attacked her family and she had played dead in order to escape.
She was later treated for her injuries at a Seattle hospital and has since been released, staff confirmed.
Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP, File
Prosecutors Detail Family Tensions
Deputies arrived at the family’s home to find the 15-year-old in the driveway and the bodies of his parents, Mark Humiston, 43, and Sarah Humiston, 42.
Their children Katheryn, 7, Joshua, 9, and Benjamin, 13, were also discovered.
Authorities revealed that the teen had recently been reprimanded by his parents after failing tests at school, which detectives believe may have contributed to his actions.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office stated that the boy waived his right to appear in court Tuesday. His legal team has described him as “15-year-old boy who enjoys mountain biking and fishing and has no criminal history.”
He is currently being held at the Clark Child and Family Justice Center, Seattle.
Kevin Clark/The Seattle Times via AP, File
Father’s Glock Allegedly Used in Murders
A gun registered to the children’s father, kept in a locked box, had been used in the killings.
It was reportedly kept by the front door for him to bring to work at times.
During an interview at the hospital, the girl told investigators that her older brother was the only person who knew the code to access a silver Glock.
A hearing will determine if the case should be transferred to adult court, with the teen’s next appearance scheduled for Friday.
Court documents didn’t speculate a motive—detectives are believed to be investigating the teen’s mental health, potential motives, family tensions, and access to firearms, factors they say may explain the violence.
Prosecutors noted that transferring the case to adult court wouldn’t guarantee an adult trial, as Washington’s sentencing guidelines for juveniles differ even in adult court.
Nick Wagner/The Seattle Times via AP, File
Seattle’s Fall City Community Mourns Humiston Family
The tragedy has shaken the close-knit community of Fall City, with many in shock over the violent loss of the Humiston family.
Mark Humiston, an electrical engineer at Hargis Engineers in Seattle, was remembered by colleagues as “a respected colleague, mentor, and friend.”
In a statement Thursday, the company said it was “blindsided and saddened by the tragic events that have led to the loss of a respected colleague.
“Mark’s leadership and vision were integral within our firm, and he will be greatly missed.”
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
