Beyond Wonderland Festival Shooting Suspects Pleads Not Guilty to Murder and Assault

Music

Beyond Wonderland Festival Shooting Suspects Pleads Not Guilty to Murder and Assault

James M. Kelly, an active U.S. Army member, is accused of killing two people and injuring three more at the campgrounds of a Washington music festival

The Gorge Amphitheatre June 2023

The Gorge Amphitheatre, June 2023 (Gary Miller/Getty Images)

Last month, two women were killed and three more people were injured during a shooting at the campgrounds of Beyond Wonderland, an electronic dance festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Quincy, Washington. A 26-year-old active U.S. Army member named James M. Kelly was accused of the shooting and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and one count of first-degree domestic violence assault. Kelly has now pleaded not guilty, according to The Seattle Times. He is currently incarcerated at Grant County Jail, online records show.

The victims of the shooting were 29-year-old Brandy Escamilla and 26-year-old Josilyn Ruiz. Among the injured were Kelly’s girlfriend, a festivalgoer, and an employee who was responding to reports of gunfire.

Beyond Wonderland had been scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 17, and Sunday, June 18, but the second day was canceled after the shooting. “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the local authorities and staff who acted quickly to manage the situation,” Beyond Wonderland wrote in a statement. “Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to the family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic event.”

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