22 June 2023 , 11:25
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The victims of a shooting at a Washington dance music festival last weekend have been identified as a couple, described as "soul mates".
A rogue army serviceman allegedly opened fire at the Washington Beyond Wonderland electronic dance music festival on Saturday , resulting in the deaths of two individuals identified as Brandy Escamilla, 29, and Josilyn Ruiz, 26.
The "soulmates", who were planning their wedding, were walking through the campground outside the Gorge Amphitheatre when they were fatally shot by accused gunman James Kelly, 26, who was stationed at a nearby Army base, according to the police.
The Grant County Sheriff's Office reported that the shooting occurred around 8.30pm at the campground outside the Gorge Amphitheatre in Quincy, Washington.
Brandy Escamilla, 29, and Josilyn Ruiz, 26, both of Seattle, were walking through the campground outside Gorge Amphitheatre when they were fatally shot (@juliaaa_ruiz/Instagram)
Friends and family described Escamilla and Ruiz, who met 11 years ago in high school, as adventure-seeking “soulmates” (Devon Breithart/Facebook)James Kelly allegedly fired randomly into the "Beyond Wonderland" crowd, killing Brandy and Josilyn and injuring three others.
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Brandy suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head, while Josilyn Ruiz succumbed to a gunshot wound to her torso.
The couple had met 11 years ago in high school and moved from Southern California to Seattle, where they resided and worked as travel nurses.
Friends and family of the couple spoke fondly of their deep connection and adventurous spirits.
Josilyn's younger sister, Julia, told Rolling Stone: "She taught me self-love, tough love, and her relationship with Brandy showed me the greatest love."
Escamilla proposed to Ruiz during a trip to Canada, and Ruiz proposed back on a boat trip on Lake Union. (@juliaaa_ruiz/Instagram)She described the couple's love as "unconditional and unbreakable, something so profound that I always envied."
Brandy proposed to during a trip to Canada, and Josilyn proposed back on a boat trip on Lake Union.
The couple were both travel nurses and had moved to Seattle on contract, but decided to stay longer than a year after indulging in the myriad of outdoor adventures the area had to offer, friend Devon Breithart said on Facebook.
Kyle Foreman, a spokesman for the Grant County Sheriff's Office, said that after the shooting, the suspect, accused gunman James Kelly, 26, walked away from the scene, while law enforcement moved in to locate and apprehend him.
Police speak to press following the shooting (Grant County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)Moses Lake Police Department Detective Edgar Salazar fired his duty weapon at Kelly striking him one time. Responding officers then quickly moved in and Kelly was taken into custody
At the time of the shooting, Detective Salazar was working in an undercover capacity at the festival.
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Law enforcement confirmed Kelly was an active duty Army servicemember stationed out of Joint Base Lewis McCord, roughly 170 miles west of the Gorge Amphitheatre.
Kelly also allegedly struck concert-goer Andrew Caudra, 31, and 61-year-old Lori Williams, who was working with Crowd Management Services and responding to the active shooting threat.
Kelly has since been booked into Grant County Jail on investigation of two counts of murder, two counts of assault and one count of domestic violence assault.