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The man accused of fatally shooting an engaged couple at a Washington music festival last weekend told the police he took psychedelic mushrooms and believed the world was ending before he opened fire, court records show.
U.S. Army Spc. James Kelly, 26, is facing two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and domestic violence assault according to documents from the Grant County Superior Court obtained by USA TODAY.
Brandy Escamilla and Josilyn Ruiz died on Saturday night in the shooting at the Beyond Wonderland music festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre, about 150 miles southeast of Seattle.
Kelly, who is being held without bail, told officers that before walking to the outdoor venue, he took the psychedelics causing him to hallucinate. Documents show Kelly attended the dance festival with a 20-year-old woman whom he dated for a year.
“This is the end,” Kelly told his date, according to documents.
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Court records state Kelly got a handgun from a locked box in the console of his pickup truck, loaded it and fired multiple bullets at the Seattle couple who were walking by.
Escamilla, 29 and Ruiz, 26, died at the scene.
A 31-year-old man from Eugene, Washington was shot at least once and was in stable condition as of Tuesday after sustaining serious injuries.
A security worker also responded to the scene before being shot, investigators say. A bullet went through her utility vehicle’s windshield, struck her glasses and the side of her face causing bruises and cuts.
Kelly’s date dialed 911 to reach help before Kelly took her phone away, according to documents.
“She told dispatch her man had a gun. Then no more information could be provided because Kelly took her phone and discarded it,” records say.
Kelly shot his companion twice, once in the foot and again in her upper leg causing permanent injuries, records show.
A police officer found Kelly and his date in a field next to the campground, shot Kelly and took him into custody, records show. The suspect was taken to a local hospital to be treated.
Ruiz’s sister Josilyn spoke to Rolling Stone following Julia’s death.
“She taught me self-love, tough love, and her relationship with Brandy [Escamilla] showed me the greatest love,” Josilyn Ruiz said.
The families of Ruiz and Escamilla posted GoFundMe pages to financially support them.
“She was a huge light in our lives with a lot of goals and ambitions to look forward to,” read Escamilla family’s GoFundMe’s description. “She and her fiancée enjoyed going on endless adventures alongside their cat, Otis, and their friends.”
Kelly’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 5.
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