Arlington man charged with allegedly killing brother

ARLINGTON — A 47-year-old Arlington man has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly killing his older brother after an argument in December.

Prosecutors said Arlington resident Mark Hillis shot 52-year-old John Hillis Jr. in the back on Dec. 5 after a disagreement about cattle on their mother's property in the 16200 block of Grant Creek Road in unincorporated Arlington.

Charges were filed on Monday, Dec. 29.

Mark Hillis lived with the brothers' mother — Madonna Hillis — at the home, and John Hillis lived in a separate house down the road, according to authorities.

Both brothers had had a long-standing feud, and court documents said that the brothers did agree on how the family owned farm was operated in recent years.

Mark Hillis is currently in Snohomish County Jail in Everett with a $1 million bail.

To view a past story about the incident in The Arlington Times, click here.

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