Girl, 11, Played Dead in Family Massacre Police Allege Was Carried Out by 15-Year-Old

Mar. 15, 2025

Sarah Humiston (left); and Mark Humiston.Photo:Nation Gun Violence Memorial (2)

Nation Gun Violence Memorial (2)

The 11-year-old survivor of aWashington State family massacreearlier in October reportedly played dead as her teen brother, who is now charged in the case, allegedly carried out the spree in their home.

Five members of the family, including parentsMark Humiston, 43, and Sarah Humiston, 42, were found fatally shot in their Fall City, Wash., home early in the morning of Oct. 21, the King County Sheriff’s Office previously said.

The family’s 11-year-old daughter survived the attack, and later alleged to police that her15-year-old brother carried out the shooting.

Humiston family home.Fox 13 Seattle/YouTube

Fox 13 Seattle/YouTube

The suspect, who is not publicly named because of his age, has been charged withfive counts of aggravated murderand one count of attempted murder, according to King County court records and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office,The Associated Press,KIRO NewsandKOUWpreviously reported.

The Associated Press, KOUW and KIRO News report the King County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the slain children as Katheryn Humiston, 9, Joshua Humiston, 9, and Benjamin Humiston, 13.

Mark and Sarah Humiston.Mark Humiston/Facebook

Mark Humiston/Facebook

The 11-year-old girl who survived alleged to investigators that she played dead to survive the attack, the Associated Press, KING 5 andNBC Newsreported, citing unspecified court documents and King County investigators.

She said she heard screaming outside her room before the suspect, the eldest of the siblings, allegedly came in and shot her on her bunk bed, charging documents said, per KOUW.

She reportedly saw the bodies of her family members in the hallway outside her room before escaping the house through a “fire window,” the charging documents stated.

Fall City teen gunned down family, staged ‘murder-suicide’: docs | FOX 13 Seattle

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The boy’s scheduled arraignment on Friday did not take place, perKIRO 7. His attorney has previously claimed he has no history of violence.

Plea information was not available at the time of this report. PEOPLE was not able to immediately reach his attorney.

source: people.com