2 Dead, 2 Children Wounded After Gunfire Reported in Washington State Home

CLARKSTON, Wash. – A woman and an 18-month-old boy died Thursday and two other children were seriously wounded by gunshots at a residence outside this southeast Washington city.

Asotin County Sheriff Ken Bancroft confirmed gunfire at the residence but refused to say how the 31-year-old woman and child died. No arrests were made but Bancroft said there was "no danger to the community. That we do know."

The woman and child who died were not identified pending notification of relatives.

The Washington State Patrol said the father of the household called 911. He and another child were found uninjured.

County records and neighbors said William Sohn Duman and Elizabeth Duman lived at the residence at the end of Scenic Hills Drive in the Clarkston Heights area, the Lewiston Tribune reported.

Bancroft refused to identify the family Thursday night. He said a news conference was scheduled for Friday morning.

Sheriff's deputies responding to the call shortly after noon Thursday found the bodies of the 31-year-old woman and the little boy. Two other children -- a 3-year-old boy and an infant girl -- were taken to a hospital in Spokane.

Ruby Rose Duman, who is 3 months old, was in critical condition and in surgery Thursday evening, said David Kellogg, a nursing supervisor at Sacred Heart.

"I don't know how badly she was shot," he said. "If she went (to surgery) first, she's the one who was hurt worst."

He said 3-year-old Johannel Duman was to have surgery immediately after Ruby. Johannel was listed in serious condition with a gunshot wound to the left leg, Kellogg said.

The house, located on a block dotted with a few newer, upscale homes, sits on a hill overlooking the Clarkston-Lewiston Valley. Neighbors said they were told by authorities that the couple who lived in the house had eight children.

"They were quiet, decent people and very religious," neighbor Bruce Devereaux told The Tribune. "They seemed like a nice couple who were very dedicated to their family."