A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the targeted shooting of two students outside Rainier Beach High School earlier this year. On Wednesday, a King County judge found probable cause for two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
The suspect, whose identity has not been publicly released due to his age, was taken into custody on Tuesday morning following a six-week investigation. The shooting occurred on January 30 near a bus stop at the intersection of Rainier Avenue South and South Henderson Street, just as school was dismissing for the day. The victims, 17-year-old Traveiah Houfmuse and 18-year-old Tyjon Stewart, were both students at Rainier Beach High School.
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes stated that the suspect was not a student at the high school but suggested there may have been a prior relationship between the suspect and the victims. Investigators believe the shooter exited a King County Metro bus and opened fire on the pair at close range.
At the time of the shooting, the suspect was already under court supervision for a separate, unrelated gun case. During Wednesday’s court appearance, which the teen declined to attend, prosecutors emphasized the violent nature of the crime to argue for his continued detention. The judge agreed, ordering the boy to remain in secure custody.
While the arrest offers a sense of accountability to the grieving families and the South Seattle community, Chief Barnes noted that the investigation is ongoing. Prosecutors are expected to file formal charges by the end of the week, at which point a decision will be made on whether to seek to transfer the case to adult court.
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