In a quiet home in Deer Park, Washington, the life of an eight-year-old White male, Atillio Niklaus "Tilly" Stanley, was tragically cut short on the evening of September 28, 2023. At approximately 9:35 p.m., deputies from the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and medical personnel were dispatched to a residence on East Eloika Lake Road following a report of a shooting.
Upon their arrival, they discovered that young Atillio had sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The preliminary investigation revealed a heartbreaking scenario of an accidental shooting. At the time of the incident, four children, ranging in age from five to fourteen, and one adult were present in the home. The children had come across a handgun, and in the moments that followed, the weapon discharged, striking Atillio. According to court documents, Atillio's older brother recounted that the children were playing together in a back bedroom when the eight-year-old found a pistol in a dresser drawer. The oldest brother took the gun away, but the middle brother then picked it up and "cocked it," causing the gun to fire.
Major Crimes detectives were called to the scene to lead the investigation into the devastating event. At the time of the initial reports, the sheriff's office described the incident as a "heartbreaking and tragic accident." The father of the children later told investigators that the handgun belonged to a friend and was being stored in his bedroom drawer. While the investigation was ongoing and a search warrant was filed for evidence of murder and manslaughter, there have been no public reports of any arrests being made or specific suspects charged in connection with Atillio's death. The Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office formally identified the victim as Atillio Stanley, though the official cause and manner of his death were listed as pending further investigation.
