A tragic shooting incident occurred in Fall City, Washington in the early morning of October 21, 2024, resulting in the death of five individuals, including three children. A 15-year-old, who resided in the same home, was arrested in connection with the crime, which officials have classified as a domestic violence incident.

The King County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to multiple 911 calls around 5 a.m. The calls reported gunfire in a residence close to the Lake Alice public boat launch in Fall City, which is approximately 30 miles southeast of Seattle. Upon reaching the location, deputies found Mark, 43, and Sarah Humiston, 42, and three of their children dead inside the house.

According to King County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Mellis, the teenager who was arrested lived in the home where the incident occurred. The crime appeared to be isolated to that particular residence, and there were no significant prior police calls related to it. By mid-afternoon, the relatives of the victims were informed and were en route to the scene.

An 11-year-old girl who was shot twice managed to escape and seek help. She was subsequently transported to Harborview Medical Center for medical attention.

The young survivor reported waking up to the sound of gunshots just before her older brother entered her room and allegedly began shooting. After being shot in the hand and neck, she pretended to be dead by closing her eyes and holding her breath, fearing her brother might return, as relayed in the documents provided by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

The girl informed the police that her 15-year-old brother utilized their father’s silver handgun to kill their parents, and her two brothers and sister. She suggested his violent actions were triggered by failing school tests and being in “a lot of trouble,” as per her emotional account.

As the investigators worked under the rainfall at Lake Alice on Monday, residents like Lynne Trowern shared their sorrow. Trowern, recalling the children playing in the driveway the previous day, expressed disbelief and shed tears. She remembered how she celebrated with the children during the Fourth of July holidays, when they would visit her to play with sparklers.

Throughout the summer, neighbors frequently spotted the five children swimming, fishing, and boating near their lakeside home. According to Trowern, a young girl from the family had recently painted a picture for her, which she has kept. Other neighbors added that the children were helpful, well-behaved, and often seen strolling around the lake with their family. A former neighbor, Cameron, described the children as courteous and homeschooled, finding the tragedy unimaginable. The slain children were identified as Katheryn Humiston, 9, Joshua Humiston, 9, and Benjamin Humiston, 13.

The Major Crimes Unit is overseeing the investigation, with forensic analysis being conducted by the Washington State Patrol. Investigators are expected to be on the scene for several days, executing search warrants for cell phones and social media applications to collect more information.

The accused teenage shooter faces charges filed by prosecutors, including five counts of first-degree aggravated murder and one count of first-degree attempted murder. They declared that he mercilessly killed his father, mother, two brothers, and sister, while also attempting to murder his 11-year-old sister. The teenager is also accused of meticulously arranging the crime scene to implicate his deceased 13-year-old brother, who had multiple gunshot wounds to his head, according to the charging documents.