WA - 3 children, ages 13, 9 and 7, among 5 killed inside Fall City home, 15 y.o. in custody - 21 October 2024

[Ontario Mom]

One detail I have not heard discussed here is that the surviving sister said the father's Glock was silver yet the police say the shooter staged a black Glock on the 13 year old brother. And police knew something was up because it HAD NOT BEEN FIRED!

Son who 'shot parents and three siblings dead' framed younger brother

Sources close to the investigation told DailyMail.com that they believe the teen had been part of what appears to be a murder-suicide plot with his 13-year-old brother who died in the bloodbath.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Now, the color of the gun is not significant but in order for the staged gun not to have been fired there would have had to have been 2 guns in the house. That leads to other potential scenarios.

What other potential scenarios do you feel that might lead to?

 

[Tricia]

I listened to the 911 calls which I believe helps gain perspective on some of the statements reported. I trust common sense guides that the injured 11 yr old was responding to rapid fire questions during a very critical moment when police were responding to a mass shooting. All my opinion only:

• Alleged Shooter believes all family members are deceased-- including his 11 year old sister when he phones 911.
• Sister escaped from her bedroom window after pretending she was dead but not before viewing/identifying the Shooter checking the bodies necks for signs of life in the hallway.
• Alleged Shooter phones 911 and tells dispatch his younger brother killed his family, and then committed suicide. Younger brother hung himself in the bathroom? Family are hiding in the bathroom? Caller is located in a separate bathroom? Calls details unclear.
• While Caller/Shooter clarifying details with 911 Dispatcher, unbeknownst to the Alleged Shooter, his surviving sister arrives at a neighbor's house and calls 911 to report her family members shot by her older brother.
• While Police enroute to target house, 911 Dispatch begins trying to discern details from competing callers. (i.e., Who's the true suspect)?
• Sister confirms 15 yr old brother was still alive when she escaped. 13 yr old brother was dead in the hallway (not hanging in a bathroom).
• Sister confirms vehicles at the house and their location. Confirm brother does not drive.
• Police begin arriving at crime scene and change the staging area to rear of property following revised info from 2nd caller (Sister's details).
• Alleged Shooter/Caller tells 911 Dispatch he has his Phone in his hand and his location.
• Responder -- We have 2 bodies downstairs
• Responder -- 3 Down.
• Responder -- He has a gun in his hand (we now know this was staged on 13 yr old).
• One in custody.

King County Washington Live Audio Feeds

King County Washington Live Audio Feeds

www.broadcastify.com

Seattle 1 could you please show me how to find this audio at the link you provided in the post?
Thanks
Tricia

 

[KonaHonu]

What other potential scenarios do you feel that might lead to?

Nothing that exonerates the 15 year old. But he could have shot the brother first, dad thought there was an intruder and went to the hallway with a gun he kept by in his nightstand. Just one example.

I am not at all anti gun. I grew up in a household with guns but my dad made sure we both knew how to use them safely and respected them. They were also kept locked up. This was in the 1970s before there were laws requiring it. By the time I was 15 I had access to a shotgun I used for hunting. Nothing unusual about that in aa rural area.

But I do find it odd that the father would carry a gun to work. Not necessarily damning, just I would not think that common for an engineer (and I be one).

 

[KonaHonu]

I would love to learn more about the family dynamic. What causes a 15 year old to annihilate his family? My heart breaks for the young survivor. I hope she receives all the love and therapy she needs.

I think the 11 year old is going to be fine in time. What she did after her brother shot her shows that she is quick thinking, smart, and was able to remain calm under immense pressure. She is a smart girl who will process this with the support of her extended family. Will she need therapy? Absolutely. But I think her actions speak volumes!

 

[Seattle1]

Victims identified in Fall City homicides

A teenage girl who survived is at the hospital.

www.kiro7.com

10/22/24

The judge also ruled the media may not release the name of the suspect.

According to the boy’s attorneys, the boy has no criminal history.

 

[Seattle1]

15-Year-Old Accused Of Killing Family And Staging Scene To Frame Brother

The teen's 11-year-old sister told King County detectives that she survived the mass shooting by playing dead, according to a court document.

www.huffpost.com

10/25/24

 

[Seattle1]

10/25/24

Teen Accused in Family Massacre Allegedly Tried to Frame Slain Brother. His Sister Survived to Tell the Story

Five members of the Humiston family were found fatally shot, leading to murder charges against the eldest son, per police.

people.com

 

[Seattle1]

Update in Murder Case Near Fall City

On Oct. 24, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed charges against the 15-year-old arrested near Fall City for the murders and…

kcprosecutor.medium.com

 

[Gemmie]

I would love to learn more about the family dynamic. What causes a 15 year old to annihilate his family? My heart breaks for the young survivor. I hope she receives all the love and therapy she needs.

It's sounds like they were very controlling parents from various things I've read. Upthread there's been discussion that he had "gotten into “a lot of trouble” for failing some tests", and now this...

family insiders told DailyMail.com that their idyllic existence had a dark side, with the ultra-religious parents imposing a strict schedule on their five children and having extremely 'high expectations' of them.

The source described how the family maintained a small tight-knit circle and had caused some bad feeling in the community over the summer after ordering their eldest sons to stay away from the children of LGBTQ families living nearby.

'Mark found out that the boys had made friends with those kids and insisted they didn't see them again. Everyone was quite upset about it.'

Son who 'shot parents and three siblings dead' framed younger brother

Sources close to the investigation told DailyMail.com that they believe the teen had been part of what appears to be a murder-suicide plot with his 13-year-old brother who died in the bloodbath.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Ontario Mom]

It's sounds like they were very controlling parents from various things I've read. Upthread there's been discussion that he had "gotten into “a lot of trouble” for failing some tests", and now this...

family insiders told DailyMail.com that their idyllic existence had a dark side, with the ultra-religious parents imposing a strict schedule on their five children and having extremely 'high expectations' of them.

The source described how the family maintained a small tight-knit circle and had caused some bad feeling in the community over the summer after ordering their eldest sons to stay away from the children of LGBTQ families living nearby.

'Mark found out that the boys had made friends with those kids and insisted they didn't see them again. Everyone was quite upset about it.'

Son who 'shot parents and three siblings dead' framed younger brother

Sources close to the investigation told DailyMail.com that they believe the teen had been part of what appears to be a murder-suicide plot with his 13-year-old brother who died in the bloodbath.

www.dailymail.co.uk

The DM also claiming those same "sources" say the murderer was part of a murder suicide plot with the very brother he murdered (from the very caption of their article posted here).

Classic DM victim blaming if it means clicks.

 

[Sundog]

But I do find it odd that the father would carry a gun to work. Not necessarily damning, just I would not think that common for an engineer (and I be one).

<snipped for focus>

I don't think it has anything to do with one's profession, but more likely related to where one works or has to travel to get to work. Or maybe even where you park (underground garages, etc.). In many cities in the U.S. right now, travelling with a firearm might be prudent, given the crime rates.

 

[Centaurus]

Nothing that exonerates the 15 year old. But he could have shot the brother first, dad thought there was an intruder and went to the hallway with a gun he kept by in his nightstand. Just one example.

I am not at all anti gun. I grew up in a household with guns but my dad made sure we both knew how to use them safely and respected them. They were also kept locked up. This was in the 1970s before there were laws requiring it. By the time I was 15 I had access to a shotgun I used for hunting. Nothing unusual about that in aa rural area.

But I do find it odd that the father would carry a gun to work. Not necessarily damning, just I would not think that common for an engineer (and I be one).

BBM: I actually do not find it odd. I grew up in Seattle and most of my family still live in West Seattle. It's a different place than it used to be. It's definitely not as bad as some "news" organizations want you to believe, but it's not the city I grew up in. I now live in Eastern WA and conceal carry everywhere I go. And you can bet the farm that when I visit western WA, I'm locked and loaded 100% of the time.

 

[Gemmie]

I find it so odd that he didn't check her pulse like he did the others in the hall. The ONE he didn't check is the one that lived to tell her story... the truth.

The girl said her brother then left the room and began checking the pulse and breathing of her other siblings. Moments later, she told authorities that her brother returned to her room. Fearing that she would be shot again, she said she played dead and held her breath.

15-year-old accused of killing family, staging scene to frame deceased younger brother

King County prosecutors said the 15-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting five family members initially blamed the murders on his younger brother.

wchstv.com

 

[Zinn]

I find it so odd that he didn't check her pulse like he did the others in the hall. The ONE he didn't check is the one that lived to tell her story... the truth.

The girl said her brother then left the room and began checking the pulse and breathing of her other siblings. Moments later, she told authorities that her brother returned to her room. Fearing that she would be shot again, she said she played dead and held her breath.

15-year-old accused of killing family, staging scene to frame deceased younger brother

King County prosecutors said the 15-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting five family members initially blamed the murders on his younger brother.

wchstv.com

She described him as standing by the bed while she held her breath. Her wounds were to the neck and hand and she was in an upper bunk. Perhaps he could not easily check given her position and the blood on her neck and hand, at least not without getting bloodied himself. Perhaps he relied on breathing in her case.

 

[Gemmie]

She described him as standing by the bed while she held her breath. Her wounds were to the neck and hand and she was in an upper bunk. Perhaps he could not easily check given her position and the blood on her neck and hand, at least not without getting bloodied himself. Perhaps he relied on breathing in her case.

Well, it sure worked out for her, didn't it? I honestly think I wouldn't be able to hold my breath and would give myself away. I sure admire her courage and hope she can somehow put this behind her and go on to lead a normal life. The stars were shining down on her that night.

 

[Hopefullyhelpful]

<snipped for focus>

I don't think it has anything to do with one's profession, but more likely related to where one works or has to travel to get to work. Or maybe even where you park (underground garages, etc.). In many cities in the U.S. right now, travelling with a firearm might be prudent, given the crime rates.

I think it’s part of a certain mindset. MOO This is my community. It is extremely safe. As for going into “the big city”, I never hesitate and I don’t feel uncomfortable. Again, MOO. I will reiterate, despite a non-farm home (you’ve all seen the pictures), the rabbits were kept as “meat rabbits”. It’s a mind-set.

 

[scapa]

I listened to the 911 calls which I believe helps gain perspective on some of the statements reported. I trust common sense guides that the injured 11 yr old was responding to rapid fire questions during a very critical moment when police were responding to a mass shooting. All my opinion only:

• Alleged Shooter believes all family members are deceased-- including his 11 year old sister when he phones 911.
• Sister escaped from her bedroom window after pretending she was dead but not before viewing/identifying the Shooter checking the bodies necks for signs of life in the hallway.
• Alleged Shooter phones 911 and tells dispatch his younger brother killed his family, and then committed suicide. Younger brother hung himself in the bathroom? Family are hiding in the bathroom? Caller is located in a separate bathroom? Calls details unclear.
• While Caller/Shooter clarifying details with 911 Dispatcher, unbeknownst to the Alleged Shooter, his surviving sister arrives at a neighbor's house and calls 911 to report her family members shot by her older brother.
• While Police enroute to target house, 911 Dispatch begins trying to discern details from competing callers. (i.e., Who's the true suspect)?
• Sister confirms 15 yr old brother was still alive when she escaped. 13 yr old brother was dead in the hallway (not hanging in a bathroom).
• Sister confirms vehicles at the house and their location. Confirm brother does not drive.
• Police begin arriving at crime scene and change the staging area to rear of property following revised info from 2nd caller (Sister's details).
• Alleged Shooter/Caller tells 911 Dispatch he has his Phone in his hand and his location.
• Responder -- We have 2 bodies downstairs
• Responder -- 3 Down.
• Responder -- He has a gun in his hand (we now know this was staged on 13 yr old).
• One in custody.

King County Washington Live Audio Feeds

King County Washington Live Audio Feeds

www.broadcastify.com

Brilliant post -- many thanks for taking the time to listen and summarize.

Cack-handed plan but shows an element of cunning and ruthlessness that is pretty shocking. This one may be beyond repair, in anything but the longer term anyway.

Remarkable bravery shown by the surviving sibling. What a mountain she will now have to climb.

 

[Kemug]

IMO part of what saved her was being in the upper bunk, apparently. From there she could see things happening without the killer noticing her. And when he shot at her, it was harder for him to strike where he wanted to. Also harder to check on her.

 

[Kemug]

Did he have a long term plan, I wonder? It wasn't to get away, it was to have his brother blamed. Did he then think he would inherit and live the life he chose himself? Probably. <modsnip - not victim friendly> But still - evil, evil.

 

[KonaHonu]

I read the PCA several times and have a few things to note. To avoid using names of minors I'll use age and sex instead. For example the surviving sister is 11f.

11f said she was awakened by gunshots and looked out her bedroom door to see 9m and dad on the floor. Dad was found partially on top of 9m so that suggests 9m was the first victim. 7f got up and went to the door after which 11f heard another shot and saw 7f go down. 15m then comes into 11f room and shoots her once or twice. 11f then hears someone yell "Stop" and "Help" before hearing 15m talking on the phone. 11f then saw 15m checking that the others were dead then 15m came back into 11f room and she played dead until he left and went upstairs after which she escaped through a fire window.

The bedrooms were downstairs in a daylight basement.

Mom had apparently barricaded herself in the master bathroom but 15f forced the door open. It's unclear to me when 13m and mom were killed.

But all in all this seems planned to me.

It's also curious that 11f ran past 8-10 houses before ringing the doorbell of the neighbor. I don't suspect anything other than she may have been panicked or those neighbors were trusted. Those neighbors are in their 50s so it is unlikely they have kids or grandkids her age.