Prosecutors are seeking to transfer a Fall City teen accused of killing his family to adult court.

KING COUNTY, WA. — The King County Prosecutor’s Office is seeking transfer case against 15-year-old boy accused of killing his family to adult court.

The teen appeared in juvenile court Friday afternoon and prosecutors have formally asked that the case be transferred to adult court, but a judge will ultimately decide whether that will happen.

“This process in all types of cases takes months – the judge will have multiple opportunities to hear from prosecutors and the defense before making a final decision,” said Casey McNertney, a spokesman for KCPAO.

A hearing to decide whether to transfer the case to adult court is scheduled for June 4, 2025.

On Thursday The teenager was charged with five counts of aggravated murder and one count of attempted murder.

Charging documents allege the teenager shot and killed all six members of his family early Monday morning at their home on Lake Alice Road near Fall City.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the shooting victims as Katherine Humiston, 7, Joshua Humiston, 9, Benjamin Humiston, 13, and parents Mark Humiston, 43, and 42-year-old Sarah Humiston.

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The 11-year-old girl survived the gunshot and ran to a neighbor’s house for help, escaping out of a window. An 11-year-old girl told police that her 15-year-old brother killed the family, according to a police report.

According to charging documents, the 15-year-old suspect went to another neighbor’s house and called 911, claiming that his 13-year-old brother Benjamin had killed the family.

Sheriff’s investigators say the 15-year-old boy staged the crime scene and then tried to blame his brother for the shooting.

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According to the sheriff’s report, the 15-year-old boy was the only child in the family who knew the combination to a Glock pistol safe kept in the family’s home.

The 15-year-old is being represented by attorneys from the King County Department of Public Defense.

In a statement, defense attorney Amy Parker said the only evidence the sheriff’s office and prosecutors provided them was a 3.5-page probable cause statement.

Given the media interest in this case and the seriousness of these allegations, we want the court to know that we have been contacted by many people in the community who know our client and they have attested to his good character. They describe him as kind and caring. This boy has many friends, is socially interested, and makes a positive contribution to his community. However, we are not currently producing. “We want the court to know this information because the only information the court has at this time is the probable cause certificate and the charging documents.”

Earlier this week, Judge Joe Campagna issued the order. ban on the media from disclosing the name of a 15-year-old teenager.

Prosecutors say the decision to move the case to adult court will have serious implications for the potential sentencing.

If convicted as charged in adult court, state lawmakers impose prison sentences of 25 years to life with a presumption of release after 25 years, McNertney said. “The state’s Indeterminate Sentence Review Board makes the decision on release. If the case remains in juvenile court, the 15-year-old can only be detained until age 25—less than 10 years—without any further sanctions.”

The teenager will be held at the King County Children and Family Justice Center.