11-Year-Old Survivor of Washington Mass Killing Released from Hospital

An 11-year-old girl, the sole survivor of a horrific mass killing in Washington, has been released from the hospital just days after her teenage brother allegedly shot and killed their parents and three siblings. The girl, who was shot multiple times during the attack, was discharged from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Wednesday, a hospital spokesperson confirmed to USA Today.

The tragic incident occurred early Monday morning in Fall City, Washington, where the bodies of Mark and Sarah Humiston, along with three of their four children, were discovered in their home. Police say the couple’s 15-year-old son is responsible for the massacre. According to reports, the bodies were found riddled with bullets around 5 a.m.

The 11-year-old managed to escape the scene and received medical attention from a neighbor before being transported to the hospital, local news outlet King 5 reported. Pastor Carrie Bland, who led a candlelit vigil at Fall City Methodist Church on Tuesday night, expressed the profound impact the killings have had on the community. “It hits me really hard,” Bland told KOMO News.

“I think about not just the loss of children, but the parents and the impact that has—it’s a ripple effect through the community because every person touches multiple people.” Mark Humiston was a longtime software engineer at Hargis Engineers in Seattle, while Sarah Humiston was a registered nurse, though it is unclear if she was actively practicing at the time of the murders.

Hargis Engineers released a statement expressing their grief: “We are blindsided and saddened by the tragic events that have led to the loss of a respected colleague, mentor, and friend, as well as the loss of immediate family members. Mark’s leadership and vision were integral to our firm, and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his surviving family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”

Deputies from the King County Sheriff’s Department responded to multiple reports of gunfire at the Humiston home early Monday morning. According to King County Sheriff’s spokesperson Mike Mellis, some of the 911 calls came from within the house during the shooting. When deputies arrived, they found the bodies of the parents and three children.

The 15-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene, and police believe the incident to be a case of domestic violence. “Once bodies were discovered, clearly we understand that this is a hugely significant crime scene,” Mellis said. King County prosecutors have requested the court charge the teen with five counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder, according to the King County Prosecutor’s Office.

The suspect, who has not been identified due to his age, is currently being held in juvenile detention, awaiting arraignment on formal charges. This heartbreaking event has sent shockwaves through the community, as family, friends, and neighbors struggle to cope with the devastating loss.