A King County judge is weighing whether a teen accused of killing nearly his entire family in Fall City should be tried as an adult, as emotional testimony from
A King County judge is weighing whether a teen accused of killing nearly his entire family in Fall City should be tried as an adult, as emotional testimony from a relative detailed what life was like inside the home before the shootings.
The teen is accused of killing his parents and three siblings and injuring a sister nearly two years ago. KOMO News is not naming him because he is a minor.
In court, Scott Humiston described years of concern about his brother Mark’s family and said he believed something was wrong.
Investigators believe Mark’s then-15-year-old son planned a shooting spree in October 2024, killing both parents and three younger siblings. The teen’s 11-year-old sister survived and called police, leading to his arrest.
Humiston testified that from 2018 until the incident, he visited his brother from Texas in an effort to rekindle an estranged relationship that he said stemmed from his brother’s rigid Christian beliefs. He said he kept returning in part to be a source of help for the children if they needed it.
“I just knew, I knew it eventually at least one of these kids would show up on my doorstep,” Humiston said.
He described the children’s demeanor during his visits. “They looked like they had had the life squeezed out of them. That’s how they acted,” Humiston said.
Humiston said his focus shifted toward the children. “I mean, it almost...that became more important than restoring the relationship with my brother,” he said.
Humiston echoed claims raised by the defense that the children experienced an emotionally and physically abusive life. He also testified that guns were present in the home and that religion, conspiracy theories and an obsession with the end of society were central.
Humiston said he wanted to speak with his nephew after the teen was taken into custody. “The blockade, the problem, the wall, the barrier has been removed and [redacted]’s free from it,” Humiston said.
He said routine monthly visits with his nephew have shown what he described as “monumental” emotional growth. Humiston testified the teen is staying on track to graduate high school and is participating in activities while in custody. Still, he said the process is ongoing.
“His recovery, his rehabilitation, not recovery, his rehabilitation, it’s not complete,” Humiston said.
The hearing ended abruptly for the day after a question from the prosecution prompted an objection in court.
The prosecutor asked: “The fact that [redacted] has forgiven Sarah, his mother, is that right? Yes. And that [redacted] has forgiven his father, Mark, is that right? Yes. Has [redacted] told you why he killed his parents?”
The defense responded: “Objection, this is completely inappropriate.”
The proceedings are expected to last several weeks. The judge, who has overseen the case from the start nearly two years ago, is expected to decide whether the case will remain in juvenile court or be moved to adult court.
