In a tragic incident on December 18, 2018, in Renton, Washington, 14-year-old Natalie Gulizia, a White female, was shot and killed. The perpetrator was her mother, Svetlana Laurel. The events unfolded at the home of Natalie's father, Michael Gulizia, who had custody of Natalie and her younger brother. Laurel had lost custody of her children and was not supposed to be at the residence.
On that Tuesday evening, Laurel gained entry to the house, let in by her 12-year-old son.
When Michael Gulizia and Natalie arrived home, they found Laurel inside. Laurel proceeded to use a Taser on her ex-husband and then bound both him and their son with zip ties. Seeing the violent turn of events, Natalie ran upstairs to her room and called 911 for help.
The 911 operator overheard Laurel confronting her daughter, saying, "You called 911" and threatening to "blow your head off." Following these words, a loud sound, believed to be the gunshot, was heard, followed by screaming. Laurel had shot her daughter in the head. After killing Natalie, Laurel went back downstairs and attempted to shoot her ex-husband, but the gun jammed. Michael Gulizia managed to break free from his restraints and subdued Laurel until the police arrived. Officers found Natalie in her room with a fatal gunshot wound.
Svetlana Laurel was arrested at the scene and was later charged with aggravated first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, and first-degree kidnapping. In May 2025, after a lengthy legal process that included a mental health defense, Laurel entered a plea agreement. She pleaded guilty to amended charges of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, and unlawful imprisonment. She was sentenced to nearly 32 and a half years in prison for the murder of her daughter.
