A 15-year-old boy was charged with the murders of his parents and three siblings, as well as the attempted murder of another sibling who survived, at the family’s home in Washington state. The teen, who has not been named by NBC News because he is a minor, was charged with five counts of aggravated murder and one count of attempted murder. The charges are designated as acts of domestic violence, with a firearms enhancement on the attempted murder count for a potentially greater sentence if convicted.
The teen’s lawyers stated that the law presumes their client innocent and described him as a normal 15-year-old with no criminal history who enjoys mountain biking and fishing. The surviving sibling, an 11-year-old girl, has been discharged from the hospital.
The victims were identified as Mark and Sarah Humiston, who homeschooled their children. Mark Humiston worked as an electrical engineer for Hargis Engineers, whose statement expressed deep sadness over the loss of a respected colleague.
Neighbors and community members expressed shock and devastation over the tragic incident, with a county council member describing it as a terrible situation. The teen waived his right to appear in court and was ordered not to have contact with the surviving sibling. The investigation into the case is ongoing, with attempts to reach family members being unsuccessful.
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