Beyond Wonderland Suspected Shooter Pleads Not Guilty to All Charges

James M. Kelly is facing two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and one count of first-degree domestic violence assault

BY Megan LaPierrePublished Jul 6, 2023

A few weeks ago, someone opened fire at the camping area outside of the Beyond Wonderland festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA, leaving two dead and three injured. The suspect, 26-year-old active-duty US Army member James M. Kelly, blamed the shooting on a bad shroom trip.

Kelly has now entered a not guilty plea on two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and one count of first-degree domestic violence assault, as per The Seattle Times. The alleged perpetrator is currently being held without bail.

Brandy Escamilla, 29, and Josilyn Ruiz, 26 — an engaged couple — were pronounced dead at the scene when Kelly allegedly opened fire at the Beyond Wonderland campgrounds on June 17. He had allegedly taken a dose of mushrooms before arriving at the EDM fest and claimed to have begun having apocalyptic hallucinations.

According to court documents, Kelly then returned to the campgrounds from the festival proper and allegedly grabbed his handgun from his truck and loaded it, firing at Escamilla and Ruiz, in addition to two other people who responded to the gunfire. Kelly allegedly also shot his girlfriend, Lily Luksich, in the foot and leg when she tried to call 911. The second shot was life-threatening and could have resulted in permanent injury.

If convicted, Kelly faces life in prison. The suspect's next hearing is slated for July 25, and trial can be expected to begin in late August.

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