KING COUNTY, Wash. — The King County Prosecutor’s Office is trying to do just that move the case against a 15-year-old boy accused of murdering his family to adult court.

The teenager appeared in juvenile court Friday afternoon, and prosecutors have formally requested the case be moved to the adult court system, but ultimately a judge will decide if that happens.

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

A hearing to decide whether the case will go to adult court is set for June 4, 2025.

Thursday, The teenager was charged with five counts of first-degree aggravated murder and one count of attempted murder.

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

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victims of the attack as Katheryn Humiston, 7, Joshua Humiston, 9, Benjamin Humiston, 13, and parents Mark Humiston, 43, and Sarah Humiston, 42.

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An 11-year-old girl survived being shot and ran to a neighbor’s house for help after escaping through a window. According to a police report, the 11-year-old told police that her 15-year-old brother killed the family.

The 15-year-old suspect went to another neighbor’s home and called 911 while claiming his 13-year-old brother, Benjamin, had killed the family, according to charging documents.

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 a sheriff’s report, the 15-year-old boy was the only child in the family who knew the combination to a lock box for a Glock handgun that was kept in the family home.

Attorneys for the King County Public Defender’s Department are representing the 15-year-old.

In a statement, defense attorney Amy Parker noted that the only evidence provided to them by the sheriff’s office and prosecutors 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 several people in the community have contacted us who know our client and have attested to his good character. He was described by them as kind and caring. This is a boy who has many friends, has pro-social interests and has contributed positively to his community. However, we are not referring to the release at this time. We want the court to know this information, as the only information it has at this time is the probable cause certification and the indictments.”

Earlier this week, Judge Joe Campagna issued an order barring the media from releasing the 15-year-old’s name.

The decision whether to move the case to adult court will have major implications for the potential sentence, prosecutors said.

“If convicted of the charges in adult court, the sentence set by state lawmakers is 25 years to life with a presumption of release after 25 years,” McNerthney said. “The state’s Indeterminate Sentence Review Board decides the release. If he remains in juvenile court, the 15-year-old could only be held until the age of 25 – less than 10 years from now – with no further sanctions.”

The teenager will remain in custody at the King County Juvenile and Family Justice Center.