King County prosecutors have charged a Federal Way man with the murder of 33-year-old Tabitha Apling.

Rashied Maceo Mitchell, 46, was charged with first-degree murder, domestic violence in felony violation of a court order, and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm on Wednesday in King County Superior Court.

The court set Mitchell’s bail at $5 million.

Mitchell is accused of killing Apling, his ex-girlfriend, in front of their two children – ages 5 and 6 months – before turning the gun on himself and attempting suicide at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24.

According to charging documents, police were dispatched to Mitchell’s mother’s home in the 31700 block of 3rd Place Southwest after receiving a 911 call in which the caller hung up. When dispatchers called back, Mitchell’s mother answered the phone and told operators she needed help but “was not free to communicate.”

The phone disconnected and operators called back again. A man answered the phone this time, and the 911 operator heard a woman in the background screaming, “Please hurry, he has a gun!”

Federal Way police were there two minutes later and met the Mitchell’s mother and his children. She told police they were in the apartment when an argument ensued between Apling and Mitchell.

Charging documents state Mitchell was trying to speak to Apling about three Sept. 12 domestic violence no contact orders that were filed against him in an Auburn domestic violence case. The no contact orders barred him from having contact with Apling or their children. During the Saturday night confrontation, Mitchell reportedly accused Apling of lying and pleaded with her to take him back.

“After the victim refused to reconcile, the defendant produced a handgun,” the charging documents state. “The defendant stated that if anyone called 911, he would kill the victim, then himself.”

The two struggled for control of the weapon and “tumbled” into a walk-in closet. Mitchell’s mother told police she then heard a loud “pop.”

Mitchell allegedly learned 911 was called and did as he said. Documents point out that the couple’s two children were in the same room in which Apling was killed.

Mitchell’s mother reportedly fled her apartment with her grandchildren. As more police officers arrived at the scene, they heard a second gunshot and saw Mitchell “crawl” out of the apartment, bleeding from an apparent gunshot wound to the head.

Mitchell was arrested and taken to Harborview Medical Center. Police say he didn’t make a statement.

At the scene, police found Apling in the master bedroom closet with a gunshot wound to her torso and a semiautomatic pistol lying nearby. Two spent 9mm cartridge cases and multiple unspent 9mm cartridges were also found. South King Fire and Rescue medics attempted to help Apling but pronounced her dead at the scene.

King County Medical Examiners later discovered Apling had been shot once in the upper back at close range.

Police interviewed Mitchell’s mother, who told police Apling had dropped the children off the previous night so that Mitchell and his mother could babysit them while Apling went to work.

Apling and Mitchell were together for six years, according to court documents, and Mitchell had moved in with his mother after the protection orders were filed. Mitchell’s mother told police her son appeared upset over the “break up” of his family and began to drink excessively, constantly text Apling and make suicidal statements.

According to court documents, Mitchell has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1986. He’s had at least 12 previous domestic violence convictions as well as harassment, trespass and drug charges.

Mitchell is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 13 at the Regional Justice Center in Kent.