The 11-year-old sole survivor of a quintuple murder alleged she "played dead" as her teen brother fatally shot their entire family.
The girl told investigators she heard several rounds of gunfire then saw her 15-year-old brother's face before he purportedly shot her twice at their family's upscale Fall City, Washington home, Monday morning, KING-TV reported, citing the probable cause document. She said she "played dead" until her brother fled, then ran to a neighbor's house for help.
Multiple 911 calls came in, including one from the teen suspect himself, who allegedly told dispatch his 13-year-old brother killed their parents and siblings, before turning the gun on himself.
When officers arrived, they discovered the five family members dead, and the 13-year-old – identified as Benjamin Humiston – with a Glock laying on his chest – in an alleged attempt to stage the scene.
"[The suspect] further perpetuated the false staging by repeatedly telling the 911 dispatcher that [Benjamin] was responsible for killing all their family and then committing suicide," the statement reads.
The remaining victims were identified as parents Mark Humiston, 43, and Sarah Humiston, 42; and their children, Katheryn Humiston, 7; and Joshua Humiston, 9, according to the King County Medical Examiner.
Katheryn and Joshua both died from a single gunshot wound to the head, while Sarah and Benjamin died from several shots to the head. Mark's cause of death was listed as multiple gunshot wounds, the medical examiner said.
The victim told investigators she believed her brother used their father's gun to perpetrate the alleged slayings. She claimed the suspect was the only sibling who knew the combination to the gun safe.
The 15-year-old, who the Lawyer Herald is not naming due to his age, was subsequently arrested and charged with five counts of first-degree premeditated domestic violence murder and one count of first-degree premeditated attempted murder with a firearm enhancement Thursday, court records indicate.
Prosecutors have not indicated if they will make a motion to charge the teen as an adult.
During his preliminary hearing Tuesday, defense attorney, Amy Parker, told the court, "We want the court to know that our client is a 15-year-old boy who enjoys mountain biking and fishing and has no criminal history," KING previously reported.
A motive has not been disclosed.
The suspect will be arraigned Friday.
