A 46-year-old man is being held on $10 million bail in connection with a fatal shooting that claimed the lives of three people — including a child — inside a Renton apartment over the weekend.
Authorities say the man is being detained on probable cause for three counts of second-degree murder. As of Monday, formal charges had not yet been filed, but prosecutors indicated they expect additional investigative material from police ahead of a potential charging decision set for Wednesday.
The violence unfolded Saturday evening, July 19, at an apartment complex on Hillcrest Lane NE. Renton police responded to reports of a shooting around 7:30 p.m. Officers arriving at the scene discovered two people lying on the ground outside and entered the apartment, believing medical aid may be needed.
Inside, officers found the bodies of three victims — a 46-year-old woman, a 39-year-old woman, and a 9-year-old girl — all dead from gunshot wounds to the head, according to court documents. Early reports had misidentified one of the adult victims as being 28 years old, but that was later corrected in official filings.
Details from a witness at the scene suggest the tragedy may have stemmed from a domestic situation. The witness told police she had been visiting the 46-year-old woman, who had recently started a relationship with the suspect. While he didn’t live there full-time, the suspect was described as a frequent presence in the apartment.
According to the witness, she and the 39-year-old victim were smoking outside just before the incident occurred. There had been no argument or commotion, she said, but then they heard a gunshot from inside. As the 39-year-old went to enter through the rear sliding door, she was shot in the head.
The witness attempted to help the injured woman when the 9-year-old girl approached. The suspect allegedly aimed a firearm at the child. Fearing for her life, the witness fled, hearing multiple gunshots behind her. She later saw the suspect run from the apartment.
Police tracked the suspect to Burien the following day, July 20, using cellphone data. He was arrested without incident.
The investigation remains ongoing.
