Suspect in double homicide shooting evaluated for mental fitness to stand trial

A pretrial hearing for Elijah Croy, 20, the suspect in a double homicide shooting of teenage sisters Aleeka, 19, and Zion, 14, Qualls, was held on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the Klamath County Circuit Court. Judge Alycia Kersey presided over the hearing as Croy appeared on a monitor screen in the courtroom.

At the hearing, it was decided that Croy’s arraignment date would be postponed to allow him to be admitted to the Oregon State Hospital. Croy will be evaluated within 30 days to determine his mental fitness to stand trial.

The defense had an expert evaluate Croy, and the expert said he may not be able to aid and assist. “The state now has the opportunity to have our experts, who work at the State hospital, evaluate him and reach their own conclusion,” stated Klamath County District Attorney David Schutt in an email to the Klamath Tribes News.

At the defense’s request, the court entered pleas of not guilty to the charges Croy is facing, including two counts of murder in the first degree with a firearm, attempted murder in the first degree with a firearm in the attempt to cause death to Tashka Qualls, and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm.  The courtroom was filled with family and friends of Aleeka and Zion, who were killed in a morning shooting on June 29 at the Qualls’ family’s residence in Klamath Falls. The sisters were Klamath tribal descendants.

“The District Attorney’s Office has been maintaining contact with members of the victims’ families, and the case and investigation are progressing,” Schutt said.