Fall City, Washington — A serene morning at a lakeside community turned tragic on October 21, 2024, when a teenage boy allegedly killed five members of his own family, including three siblings, in what authorities are labeling a harrowing episode of domestic violence. The shooting has devastated Fall City, a quiet area approximately 30 miles southeast of Seattle, near Lake Alice’s public boat launch.
Following several distress calls reporting gunfire early Monday, King County Sheriff’s deputies discovered a grim scene at the residence: five people fatally shot. The victims were identified as Mark and Sarah Humiston and three of their children, all teenagers. An 11-year-old girl, also a family member, was found injured but alive, having suffered gunshot wounds.
Deputy Mike Mellis reported that the suspect, a 15-year-old boy residing in the home, was promptly detained at the scene. Notably, there had been no significant prior police calls to the home, an element that deepens the shock surrounding this incident. The boy now faces multiple charges, including five counts of first-degree aggravated murder and one count of attempted murder.
An unfolding element of heroism amid the horror saw the youngest victim, shot twice, courageously escape to summon help, a key act that alerted authorities. Her strength continued at Harborview Medical Center where, despite her injuries, she provided crucial details to officials.
The girl recounted waking to the sound of gunfire before her brother entered her room, shooting her. In a desperate bid to survive, she pretended to be dead, fearing her brother might ensure her silence permanently. She later told authorities that her brother used their father’s silver handgun in the attack, a grim decision she believes stemmed from his recent academic and behavioral troubles.
As the community reels from the event, neighbors shared their memories and disbelief. Lynne Trowern, who lives nearby, recalled the joyful times when the children played outside, describing a normalcy now shattered. Trowern recently received a piece of artwork from the young girl, a poignant reminder of the life prior to the tragedy.
Other neighbors echoed Trowern’s sentiments, recalling the children as polite and engaged in outdoor activities like swimming and fishing, a common sight during the summer months by Lake Alice. The victims’ former neighbor, Cameron, remembered them as well-mannered and homeschooled, expressing disbelief at the devastating turn of events.
The case has garnered significant attention, with the King County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit taking the lead, supported by forensic analysis by the Washington State Patrol. The crime scene is poised for thorough investigation over several days, with detectives also examining digital footprints such as cell phone data and social media activity.
Prosecutors allege that after the shootings, the teen attempted to manipulate the crime scene to implicate his deceased 13-year-old brother. Furthermore, according to charging documents, the accused positioned his slain brother in a manner that suggested he could have been the perpetrator, complicating the initial response and investigation.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the community is left to mourn and reflect on the unsettling transformation of a seemingly tranquil family setting into the scene of a chilling and heartrending episode, shaking the core of Fall City.