CRIME BLOTTER

1 year later: Fall City teen accused of murdering his family. What happens next?

Oct 21, 2025, 11:41 AM | Updated: 12:59 pm

fall city murders 2...

A 15-year-old boy allegedly shot and killed his family in Fall City a year ago. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

Today marks one year since King County prosecutors say a 15-year-old boy shot and killed his five family members in Fall City.

The court case is in a holding pattern as attorneys decide whether to try him as an adult or a juvenile. That determines how long he is legally allowed to serve in prison if convicted.

They have been trying to make that decision since last year, but a hearing to determine the final ruling keeps getting pushed back.



On October 21, 2024, prosecutors say the 15-year-old, who we are not naming due to age, took his dad’s gun, then shot his parents and three siblings in the head, killing them.

They say he also shot his other sister in the neck, but she played dead and was able to run to a neighbor’s house for help.

Investigators say the teen killed the family, then staged the scene to make it look like his dead brother did it, took a shower, changed his clothes, and called 911.

The surviving sibling told police that it wasn’t true, naming her 15-year-old brother as the shooter.

Fast forward a year, and that teen is still in jail waiting to find out what happens with the impending trial.



The case also can’t move on until psych evaluations are done, but the defense says they are having trouble getting witnesses to interview due to the intensity of the situation.

In July, the defense asked to push the decline hearing until October 2026. This is when the court would determine whether the teen could be tried as an adult. The judge turned that down, saying the date was too far away.

Instead, that hearing was set for April 2026. The teen is expected back in court at least once before then on December 10.

According to the boy’s attorneys, he has no prior criminal history.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

Crime Blotter

shooting...

MyNorthwest Staff

Woman in custody after domestic violence incident leads to officer-involved shooting in Seattle

A woman is in custody after a domestic violence incident turned into an officer-involved shooting in Seattle.

2 days ago

planend parenthood...

Julia Dallas

Man arrested for allegedly trying to light Bellevue Planned Parenthood on fire

A 36-year-old man was arrested for allegedly trying to set a Bellevue Planned Parenthood on fire based on his own personal beliefs.

2 days ago

longview swat assault firearm...

Jason Sutich

Woman, child escape Longview home before SWAT arrests man accused of threatening her with gun

A 47-year-old man was arrested after a SWAT response to his Longview home, where he was allegedly threatening his girlfriend with a firearm and assaulting her.

2 days ago

chelan hills fire suspect (1)...

Julia Dallas

3 more suspects arrested in connection with deadly Chelan Hills Fire, 2 outstanding

The U.S. Marshals Service located and arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the deadly Chelan Hills Fire.

2 days ago

fall city abuse family...

BRANDON THOMPSON, KIRO 7

‘Like the life was squeezed out of them:’ Family describes alleged abuse at home where 5 were killed

Two family members testified that their suspicions of mistreatment of the children living inside the Fall City Home, where five people were killed, were confirmed by the two surviving children.

2 days ago

marysville animal cruelty...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Prosecutors receive 43 animal cruelty charges against Marysville suspected breeder

An animal control community service officer in Marysville has submitted 44 charges to prosecutors for an alleged “extreme breeding and hoarding” situation.

2 days ago

1 year later: Fall City teen accused of murdering his family. What happens next?