On October 21, a tragic shooting incident occurred in Fall City, Washington, claiming the lives of two adults and three children. According to police investigations, they gathered crucial details from the sole survivor, an 11-year-old girl, who played dead after suffering an injury, allowing her to escape a near-death experience.

The 15-year-old suspect, arrested in connection with this devastating event, appeared in court for the first time on October 25. The prosecutor has charged him with five counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder with a firearm, seeking a hearing to determine whether the accused should be tried as an adult. A decision on this hearing is scheduled for June 4 of next year.

As reported by CNN, if the defendant is convicted as a juvenile, he could be released by age 25. However, if the case is transferred to adult court and he is convicted, he faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison, with a minimum of 25 years before eligibility for parole.

Documents released from the court reveal that the surviving 11-year-old remained remarkably calm during the horrifying ordeal. After being injured, she lay still to avoid detection from her older brother, who had carried out the attack. After the murders, the suspect reportedly pretended to be a victim while calling the police to report the incident.

In her statements to investigators, the girl detailed how she woke up to gunfire in the early morning hours and saw her 42-year-old father, Mark Humiston, shot in the head, along with her 9-year-old brother, who was also injured, lying in the hallway. She described how her 7-year-old sister stepped out of the bedroom in curiosity and was shot immediately. A series of gunshots left her injured in the hand and neck, while her mother, Sarah Huminston, and 13-year-old brother were found in other parts of the house.

The young survivor identified her father’s silver Glock handgun as the weapon used in the murders and disclosed that her brother was the perpetrator. Despite her pain, she played dead, ultimately deceiving him when he checked the victims. After her brother left the room, she made her way through a fire escape window to seek help from a neighbor and called 911.

Records from the dispatch center indicate that the first call reporting the incident came in seven minutes before the girl’s call. It was revealed that the suspect had falsely reported himself to the police, claiming he was hiding in the bathroom and alleging that his 13-year-old brother had killed their family and then committed suicide.

Following her release from the hospital, the 11-year-old has been placed in the care of local relatives. Casey McNerthney, prosecutor for King County, confirmed that the court has ordered the 15-year-old suspect to have no contact with the surviving girl.

This heartbreaking story has brought attention to the tragic fallout of violence within families and has left the local community in shock.