The 15-year-old son of the slain parents was charged on Thursday with five counts of murder and attempted murder, US media unanimously reported, citing court documents. The father, mother and three children, ages seven, nine and 13, were found shot to death Monday morning in the family’s Fall City home.
The 11-year-old daughter allegedly played dead after being shot twice in the hand and neck, CNN reports, citing court documents. The girl is said to have climbed out of the window and ran to the neighbors, who are said to have alerted the police around 5 a.m.
Sister played dead
On Friday, the public prosecutor’s office submitted an application for a trial under adult criminal law. According to CNN, the surviving sister claims that the 15-year-old brother committed the crimes with their father’s pistol. According to court documents, the 15-year-old told police that his 13-year-old brother first killed the family and then himself.
According to the sister, the defendant was the only child who knew the access code to the father’s gun locker. The 15-year-old was said to have been in trouble for failing exams, according to CNN. The hearing on whether adult criminal justice should be used is scheduled for June 4, 2025, according to the Seattle Times. On Saturday, people gathered at a church for a memorial service.
