On December 30, 2017 a family gathering in an Auburn, Washington apartment ended in a fatal shooting. Mark C. Dearden, 44, was struck by a single gunshot just behind his left ear and was pronounced dead at the scene after medics responded to a 911 call from the residence.

Authorities say the person who fired was 21-year-old Deanna Kahealani Fale of Tacoma, the niece of Dearden’s girlfriend. Fale told police she believed the Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm was unloaded, that she had taken the gun from her boyfriend, and that she pulled the trigger during what she described as a joke after Dearden told her to stop messing with it. She reportedly immediately dropped the weapon and called 911, saying she had accidentally shot someone.

Investigators reported a pattern of reckless firearm handling in the family. The handgun had been found earlier in a ravine in Federal Way by a relative; Fale’s boyfriend said the magazine was in the gun though he did not think it contained bullets. Fale was arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter, pleaded not guilty at arraignment, and was booked with bail set at $250,000.

If anyone has information about what happened that night or knew Mark, please share tips with investigators.