A 23-year-old Poulsbo man allegedly killed two of his teenage half-brothers at the family home Oct. 9.
Seth K. South was in Kitsap County Superior Court Oct. 10 charged with suspicion of two counts of murder in the second-degree and third-degree assault of an officer. Accompanying him were several correctional and Kitsap County sheriff’s officers, a pair of whom had to restrain him after South made a sudden turn and took steps toward the gallery of the courtroom.
No bail has been set as Judge William Houser requested South be evaluated for competency at Western State Hospital. He faces two life terms in prison plus five years, along with $110,000 in fines.
One of the victims was a student at North Kitsap High School, interim superintendent Rachel Davenport announced in a letter to the community.
“This heartbreaking event has deeply affected all of us, and our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, ” Davenport’s letter says. “We will have grief counselors available at the school for students and staff as we process this unimaginable loss together.”
Court records show Kitsap deputies responded to 16460 Scandia Road NW at 3:01 p.m. Oct. 9. The reporting party, who ended up being suspect Seth South, said his half-brother, Sebastian Bass, 16, had stabbed himself. The phone went silent. The dispatcher said she then heard fighting in the background. The line went silent again until law enforcement arrived.
A deputy looked through a window and saw a man down on the kitchen floor, so another deputy entered the home to try to render aid. They found Scotty Bass, 17, another half-brother of the suspect, lying face down, with a kitchen knife nearby. It appeared he was attacked there, court papers say.
Officers then went to the second floor and found the body of Sebastian Bass sitting at the top of the stairs.
It was determined the suspect drove a black Toyota Tacoma. His license plate number was distributed to law enforcement statewide. Detectives found evidence resulting in the warrant for South’s arrest.
Officers began interviewing family. Maternal grandfather David Easterson called the suspect at the request of South’s mother, Sarra Bass. The grandfather allegedly was told, “You’re with me or you’re against me,” and that he killed “the boys.” The mom said South told her that he didn’t “hurt the boys.” But her spouse, Christopher Bass, alleged South told him he killed two people but didn’t say who. Officers also were reportedly told South was headed to Missouri to kill another brother.
In all, four knives were collected as evidence, along with a pistol and some marijuana.
At 8:27 p.m., South was taken into custody near Bonney Lake. The truck had two flat tires from police spike strips. Blood was seen in the interior of the truck, along with some bloody clothes.
South was interviewed and allegedly said he stabbed Scotty, but it was Scotty who killed Sebastian. South later jumped toward a deputy, causing a laceration to his head.
South was booked into the Kitsap County Jail in Port Orchard. Law enforcement worked at the crime scene through the night.
