A deadly shooting incident that took place in a Fall City, Washington residence on the morning of October 21, 2024, claimed the lives of five individuals, including two teenagers and a child. A 15-year-old inhabitant of the home was arrested in connection with the incident, which is being treated as a case of domestic violence by the authorities.
Multiple 911 calls alerted King County Sheriff’s Office deputies to gunfire in a home near the public boat launch on Lake Alice in Fall City, situated about 30 miles southeast of Seattle. On reaching the scene, the officers found Mark and Sarah Humiston and three teenagers dead in the house.
According to Deputy Mike Mellis from the King County Sheriff’s Office, a teenage boy, who lived at the residence, was taken into custody. The incident was confined to the household and there were no significant previous calls to the residence from law enforcement. The victims’ relatives were informed and were en route to the scene by mid-afternoon.
An 11-year-old girl, who had been shot twice, was able to flee the house and get help. She was subsequently taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment.
The girl later informed authorities that she was awakened by loud gunshots shortly before her elder brother entered her room and allegedly began shooting.
After being shot in the hand and neck, she told investigators that she feigned death by closing her eyes and holding her breath out of fear that her brother might return to complete his deadly task, according to documents released by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
She disclosed to police that her 15-year-old brother used their father’s silver handgun to murder their parents, Mark and Sarah Humiston, along with her two brothers and six-year-old sister. She speculated that his violent actions were prompted by failing school tests and getting into “a lot of trouble,” as per her emotional recounting.
As Monday’s rain mirrored the mournful mood over Lake Alice, neighbors like Lynne Trowern watched as King County deputies investigated the shooting that shattered a well-known family in the lakeside community. She remembered seeing the children play in the driveway just the day before, sharing her shock and moments of grief.
Trowern recollected celebrating the Fourth of July with the children, who would come over to play with sparklers. The children were frequently seen swimming, fishing, and boating near their lakeside residence during the summer. The young girl from the family had recently gifted Trowern a painting, which she continues to cherish.
Other neighbors described the children as courteous and helpful, often seen walking around the lake with their family. A former neighbor, Cameron, characterized the children as well-mannered and homeschooled, terming the tragedy as inconceivable.
The Major Crimes Unit is spearheading the investigation, with crime scene forensic analysis being conducted by the Washington State Patrol. Investigators expect to process the scene for several days and are executing search warrants for cell phones and social media platforms to gather more information.
Prosecutors have filed charges against the accused teenage shooter, including five counts of first-degree aggravated murder and one count of first-degree attempted murder. The charging documents indicate that the teen is alleged to have ruthlessly killed his father, mother, two brothers, and sister, and attempted to murder his 11-year-old sister. After the shooting, he is accused of meticulously staging the horrific scene to implicate his deceased 13-year-old brother, who had multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
