Crime
Victims killed in Fall City shooting identified
A 15-year-old boy, believed to be the surviving sibling, was taken into custody in connection with the incident.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the five victims of the devastating shooting that occurred on October 21st in Fall City, Washington.
Katheryn Humiston (7), Joshua Humiston (9), Benjamin Humiston (13), and their parents, Sarah Humiston (42) and Mark Humiston (43), were tragically killed in the incident.
Four of the victims suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the head.
The girl, identified as Breanna, was reportedly shot twice and received assistance from a neighbor before being taken to the hospital.
A young girl, the couple’s surviving daughter, was injured but has since been released from the hospital.
The suspect in the killings has been identified as the couple’s 15-year-old son. While his name has not been publicly released due to his age, he is facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder.
Neighbors reported that the teenage boy killed his parents and siblings, leaving only one sister who managed to survive the massacre.
Officials say she is currently in ‘satisfactory’ condition.
The father, Humiston, originally from Texas, had been an Associate Principal at Hargis Engineers in Seattle, where he had worked for nearly 20 years, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The family had bought their large three-bedroom, four-bathroom home in 2019.
The shooting took place around 5 AM on Monday, prompting multiple 911 calls from neighbors. Deputies responded to the scene and discovered the tragic aftermath.
The King County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Washington State Patrol.
The scene remains under investigation, and authorities are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, including the manner and cause of death for each victim.
The Snoqualmie Valley School District has sent a letter to families, expressing condolences and offering support services to students who may be affected by this tragic event.
Fall City, a community with a population of approximately 2,000, is known for its low crime rate and family-friendly atmosphere.
The incident has deeply shocked and saddened the community.
Crime
2 Christian County deputies killed in the line of duty, suspect Richard Bird also dead
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
Christian County, Mo. โ A massive multi-agency manhunt in Christian County has ended with the suspect dead, but not before claiming the lives of two sheriffโs deputies and injuring two others.
According to Brad Cole, the suspect, Richard Bird, was shot and killed by law enforcement officers early Tuesday morning near the roundabout on State Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring.
Authorities confirmed that two deputies with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office were killed in the line of duty during the operation.
One of the fallen deputies has been identified as 30-year-old Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
In addition to the two fatalities, one Christian County deputy and one deputy from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
Sheriff Cole stated that their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The violence began around 4:00 p.m. Monday when a Christian County deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Highway 160 and Route HH, south of Highlandville.
During that stop, Deputy Ramirez was fatally shot, prompting a Blue Alert and a large-scale manhunt for Bird.
After Birdโs vehicle was located abandoned, officers from across the Ozarks converged on the area. Sheriff Cole said approximately 100 officers, deputies, and state troopers participated in the search effort, along with federal partners including the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the ATF.
The search continued for hours into the early morning. A helicopter operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area near Reeds Spring. As deputies approached the location, Bird reportedly opened fire. Law enforcement officers returned fire, fatally striking the suspect and ending the threat.
While the suspect was neutralized, the outcome has left the community in mourning. Two deputies lost their lives in the line of duty, and two others were injured.
Sheriff Cole described the loss as devastating for the department and the broader community. Families of the fallen deputies are now grieving, and colleagues across multiple agencies are reflecting on the risks law enforcement officers face daily.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing as authorities continue to process the scene and review the circumstances surrounding the shootings.