The tragic events surrounding the Humiston family in Washington state have shocked and devastated the community. Mark Humiston, his wife Sarah, and three of their four teenage children were found shot to death in their $2 million mansion in Fall City, a suburb of Seattle. The alleged killer is the couple’s 15-year-old son who also targeted his teen sister in the attack, but she survived despite being shot twice. The surviving sister was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment, but the details of her condition have not been disclosed. Mark Humiston was a software engineer at Hargis Engineers in Seattle, and his wife was a registered nurse, although it’s unclear if she was still practicing.
Authorities have not released the identities and ages of the child victims, but neighbors believe they were teenagers, with the oldest being around 15. The violent incident was reported early Monday morning when deputies responded to multiple 911 calls of a “disturbance with gunfire” at the family’s residence. Some of the calls came from victims inside the home who were hiding in the bathroom during the shooting. The tragic incident is being described as a “domestic violence” situation involving a “young man who’s in significant trouble and involves firearms.” The juvenile suspect was immediately arrested upon the deputies’ arrival at the crime scene.
Following the incident, prosecutors have requested the court to charge the 15-year-old with five counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree attempted murder. The teen has been represented by lawyers who have asked the court to consider the boy’s young age, lack of criminal history, and hobbies such as mountain biking and fishing. Despite the limited information available at this time, the attorneys are deferring to the court regarding probable cause and potential release of their client. The teen suspect remains in custody at King County Juvenile Detention and is not allowed to have contact with his surviving family member.
The Humiston family purchased their luxurious mansion in Fall City in 2019, which is known for having some of the most expensive homes in America. The community of Fall City has a median home listing of $1.5 million and is described as a “pretty nice area” with a low crime rate. The neighbors and community members have expressed shock and disbelief at the tragic events involving the Humiston family, as they were seen as a friendly and helpful family. The local school district confirmed that at least two of the victims were school-age, although they did not attend district schools. The teenager’s court case will continue to unfold as authorities investigate the motives behind the violent tragedy.
