Two parents who were killed in a tragic shooting incident near Seattle, which resulted in five fatalities, have been named. Prosecutors are now considering charges against the 15-year-old believed to have instigated this horrifying event.

Mark and Sarah Humiston have been confirmed as two of the deceased, as reported by their employer and numerous news sources. Tragically, three of their children also lost their lives in the attack. Authorities have indicated that the suspect and the victims, which include an 11-year-old who sustained injuries, are related.

Law enforcement officials responded to a residence in Fall City, approximately 25 miles from Seattle, around 5 a.m. on Monday after receiving multiple calls regarding a shooting. Upon arriving, they found five individuals deceased, including two adults and three teenagers. The King County Sheriff’s Office took the 15-year-old suspect into custody at the location while emergency personnel transported an injured adolescent to the hospital.

Mark Mellis, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, stated during a Monday press briefing that the situation involved “family” matters and “domestic violence.”

The injured 11-year-old girl has since been discharged from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to Susan Gregg, a representative from the hospital who spoke to YSL News on Wednesday.

Neighbor assisted victims prior to emergency response

A neighbor with medical experience was able to reach the home and provide assistance before emergency services arrived, as reported by officials. Responding deputies concluded that the suspect acted alone, posing no ongoing threat to the community.

“There was no significant confrontation with the young man who was apprehended,” Mellis explained. “What occurred was already done.”

King County Councilmember Sarah Perry stated in a release on Monday that “five family members, out of a total of seven, were tragically lost” during the shooting incident.

“My heart aches for the lives that were cut short and for all those trying to comprehend this tragedy,” she remarked.

Community remembers the lost parents fondly

Mark Humiston was employed as an electrical engineer at Hargis Engineers, a consulting firm based in Seattle, as noted by company spokesperson Chris Sheldon in a message to YSL News.

“We are shocked and devastated by the heartbreaking events that have resulted in the loss of a valued colleague, mentor, and friend, along with his immediate family,” the company’s statement read. “Mark’s leadership and insights were vital to our firm, and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his surviving relatives, friends, and coworkers as they navigate this difficult time.”

Hargis Engineers is currently cooperating with King County authorities overseeing the investigation, Sheldon stated.

Sarah Humiston previously held an active license as a registered nurse, according to the Washington State Department of Health records. However, public documents indicate that her license has since expired.

A candlelight vigil to remember the Humistons and their children took place on Tuesday at Fall City United Methodist Church. Rhea Robertson, a soccer coach who had mentored one of the victims, spoke warmly of Mark and Sarah Humiston, describing them as wonderful parents.

“Dad was incredibly hardworking, and mom was the most devoted, supportive mother anyone could wish for,” Robertson shared with KOMO News. “They appeared to be the perfect family. To me, they seemed flawless.”

Teen appears in juvenile court; charges expected

The teenager made his initial appearance in juvenile court on Tuesday, where a judge found sufficient grounds for five counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, as reported by The Associated Press. The teen will remain in detention at a juvenile facility until the King County Prosecutor’s Office makes a decision regarding charges, which they did not address immediately on Wednesday.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the motive for the incident. Initially, law enforcement received a report concerning a possible suicide, but the investigation has evolved into a homicide inquiry, as noted by sheriff’s office spokesperson Brandyn Hull previously.

Neither law enforcement officials nor the King County Medical Examiner’s Office has released the names of the victims yet. Kate Cole, a spokesperson for the medical examiner’s office, mentioned on Wednesday that the identification process might take several days as they work to inform next-of-kin.

The small, unincorporated community of Fall City, located around 25 miles east of Seattle, has a population of approximately 2,000, based on U.S. Census statistics. According to Realtor.com, the median home price in the area stands at $1.1 million, significantly above the national average of $360,000.