The shooter responsible for killing two people and injuring three others at Beyond Wonderland at the Gorge last month has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
James M. Kelly, a 26-year-old active-duty member of the U.S. Army, pleaded not guilty last Wednesday to two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and one count of first-degree domestic violence assault, according to Grant County Superior Court documents. Kelly’s next court appearance is set for July 25th. He’s facing a sentence of up to life in prison, according to court documents. His trial is set for late August and he’s currently sitting in the county jail without bail.
Kelly told detectives he had taken psychedelic mushrooms the day of the shooting that caused him to hallucinate. His girlfriend, who was with him at the time, claimed Kelly said he thought the world was ending before going to his truck to get his gun. He then shot and killed Seattle couple, Brandy Escamilla and Josilyn Ruiz, who were walking through the campground, and injured three others, including his girlfriend before being shot and apprehended by police.