11-Year-Old Survives Family Massacre by Playing Dead

In a harrowing tragedy that has rocked Fall City, Washington, Mark and Sarah Humiston and their three youngest children were found fatally shot in their home early on October 21.

The sole survivor, an 11-year-old daughter, later informed police that her 15-year-old brother allegedly carried out the killings, reportedly escaping death by playing dead in the midst of the brutal attack.

King County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a possible suicide at the residence, where they discovered the bodies of parents Mark Humiston, 43, and Sarah Humiston, 42, alongside their children, Katheryn, 9, Joshua, 9, and Benjamin, 13.

The 15-year-old suspect, whose name remains undisclosed due to his age, now faces charges of five counts of aggravated murder and one count of attempted murder. King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office confirmed the charges.

According to investigators, the girl’s testimony revealed chilling details: she described hearing screams from her parents’ bedroom before her older brother entered her room and allegedly shot her while she was lying on her bunk bed. Pretending to be dead, she managed to avoid further harm, later witnessing her family’s bodies in the hallway as she escaped through a “fire window,” as stated in charging documents.

Following her escape, the girl sought refuge at a neighbor’s home, where she recounted the horrific incident to authorities. Meanwhile, her 15-year-old brother reportedly called 911, claiming their 13-year-old brother had killed the family and then himself, according to court records. This alleged attempt to stage the crime as a murder-suicide, investigators said, only added to the gravity of the tragedy.

The teen suspect’s arraignment, initially scheduled for last Friday, has been postponed, according to KIRO 7. His attorney has stated that the teenager has no prior history of violence, though further details regarding his defense remain undisclosed.