Man Charged with First Degree Murder in Deaths of His Son, Daughter

Today, Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist charged Michael Patrick League, 69, with two counts of murder in the first degree after he shot and killed his adult son and daughter.

On March 24, 2013, League called police and said he shot his son Dennis League, 46, and daughter, Danielle Faucett, 43 in his home on the 500 block of 5th St. SE in Puyallup. Later that day, his daughter died, while his son remained on life support. On March 25, League was charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder. Dennis League died several days later, which resulted in the filing of the second murder charge. 

League and his wife shared a home with their daughter, son, and the son’s 6- and 7-year-old boys. Police had been to the home before. Several people who live in the home had restraining orders against each other, KING 5 reported. 

In the early morning of March 24, 2013, League decided that killing his son, daughter, and himself was the only one way to resolve family issues, according to documents. About an hour later, while everyone was asleep, he armed himself with his .22 caliber handgun. He entered his daughter's bedroom, covered her head with a pillow, and shot her in the head. He then went downstairs, where his son was asleep on the couch, covered his head with the same pillow, and shot him in the head.

At about 3:27 a.m., League called 911 and stated that he "shot his son and daughter in the head" and he "had committed a father's worst sin." He said his son was still moaning and he wanted to shoot him again. He was still armed and intended to shoot himself. A 911 dispatcher was able to keep the defendant on the line until Puyallup Police arrived at the residence. He was convinced to exit his home and the defendant was arrested.

Inside the home, officers found Dennis League and Danielle Faucett in different rooms of the house. Both suffered gunshot wounds to the head. They were breathing, but unresponsive and transported to the trauma center at Tacoma General Hospital.

The defendant's wife was apparently unaware of the shooting. She told police that awhile ago, her husband said, "I should just shoot 'em, shoot us all." She did not take the statement seriously at the time.

The two grandsons were found upstairs, asleep, and unharmed. They were transported to the Puyallup Police station, and then to Child Protective Services.

A jury trial for this case has been scheduled for October 2013. League's bail is set at $2 million and he is currently in custody.