Police have confirmed that five people were found dead in a home following a shooting in Fall Springs, southeast of Seattle, and a teenager has been taken into custody in connection with the incident.
Police reported they started to receive emergency 911 calls from around 5 a.m. on Monday morning from a number of people who said they had heard gunfire coming from the house.
King County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Mike Mellis confirmed the details surrounding the incident during a press briefing later in the day.
He said police arrived at the scene and promptly apprehended one teenager. Another teen, who suffered injuries during the incident, was transported to a hospital in Seattle.
They also confirmed that both teenagers are residents of the home where the incident occurred.
Upon entering the residence, deputies found the bodies of five people—two adults and three young teenagers.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been made public. Mellis described a "chaotic scene" inside the home on Lake Alice Road Southeast and said firearms were involved.
He emphasized the gravity of the crime scene, stating, "Once bodies were discovered, clearly we understand that this is a hugely significant crime scene."
Mellis did not identify those killed, nor did he have the children's exact ages or genders, but said they appeared to be teenagers.
At the time, he declined to comment on whether the incident involved parents and their children.
However, a neighbor revealed to KING-TV news channel that the household was comprised of a couple and their five children. "I'm just in total shock, I keep bursting into tears," said Lynne Trowern.
Mellis went on to reassure the community, saying there is no ongoing threat, adding "I have no reason to think that there will be any additional arrests."
The teenager who was brought into custody has been booked into the King County juvenile detention facility.
According to a spokesperson for the county Prosecuting Attorney's Office, he is expected to appear in court for an initial hearing on either Tuesday or Wednesday.
In an emailed statement later that evening, King County Council member Sarah Perry provided further details, confirming that the shooting involved a family of seven.
As investigations continue, the community remains in shock and mourning while it grapples with the unprecedented and tragic event.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press
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