Home » History, Mystery & Crime » Man Accused of Killing Engaged Couple in Music Festival

Man Accused of Killing Engaged Couple in Music Festival

The mass shooting on June 17, resulting in two deaths and three injuries, reportedly occurred during what authorities describe as “a disturbing hallucinatory episode.”

According to the probable cause documents obtained by various sources, the individual accused of carrying out the mass shooting, James M. Kelly, 26, an active-duty member of the U.S. Army stationed at Joint Base Lewis McCord, believed that “the world was coming to an end.” Prior to attending the electronic dance music festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre with his girlfriend, Kelly allegedly consumed psychedelic mushrooms, leading to a distressing hallucination experience, as reported by King5 based on the documents.

The documents cited by the channel state that Kelly repeatedly expressed to his girlfriend, “This is the end.”

Allegedly, the suspect felt an urgent need to return to his campsite along with his girlfriend, according to The Seattle Times.

Earlier this week, the suspect appeared via video from jail for a hearing at the Grant County Superior Court. He is facing charges of two counts of murder and multiple counts of assault.

Authorities have stated that last Saturday, shortly before 8:30 p.m., the suspect began firing into the campground, located several hundred yards away from the concert. Among the victims were Brandy Escamilla and Josilyn Ruiz, an engaged couple from Seattle who had intended to attend the concert.

“The shooter continued to discharge his weapon indiscriminately into the crowd,” said Kyle Foreman of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office during a press conference posted on Facebook shortly after the shooting on June 17.

Subsequently, the suspect allegedly shot Andrew J. Caudra, 31, from Eugene, Oregon, in the shoulder, prompting the suspect’s girlfriend, Lily A. Luksich, 20, to call 911 and inform them that her boyfriend was armed, as reported by The Seattle Times.

While the suspect continued to shoot into the crowd, his girlfriend remained by his side. Lori Williams, 61, who was involved in crowd management, responded to the report of gunfire, and law enforcement officials claim that the suspect turned his weapon towards her. Captain Brian Chance of the Wenatchee Police Department stated in a press release that the suspect fired “multiple times” at Williams, with one bullet piercing her windshield and striking her in the right side of her face. The impact shattered her glasses and caused bruises and lacerations. Williams received medical treatment at the scene and was subsequently released.

By the time officers located the suspect and his girlfriend in an agricultural field near the campground, the suspect had allegedly turned his gun on Luksich, shooting her twice in the lower body, as stated by law enforcement.

At the field, Moses Lake Police Department Detective Edgar Salazar, 35, a former Marine Corps member, shot the suspect once, injuring him. Officers swiftly responded, separating the suspect from Luksich, who was transported to the hospital, treated for her wounds, and later discharged. After receiving medical attention for his injuries, the suspect was released from the hospital and subsequently booked into the Grant County Jail, where he is being held without bail.

About Fehmeeda Farid Khan

A freelancer, blogger, content writer, translator, tour consultant, proofreader, environmentalist, social mobilizer, poetess and novelist. As a physically challenged person, she extends advocacy on disability related issues. She's masters in Economics and Linguistics along with B.Ed.

One comment

  1. What I do not understood is in fact how you’re no longer actually a lot more smartly-liked than you may be right now.
    You’re so intelligent. You understand therefore considerably on the subject of this topic, made me personally believe it from a lot of various angles.
    Its like women and men are not involved unless it is something to do with Woman gaga! Your personal stuffs great.
    At all times deal with it up!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *