Posted on January 5, 2015
Authorities in Lewisburg held a press conference on Friday to address Thursday evening’s shooting involving two police officers and later leading to an even more disturbing discovery. Now one suspect remains in the hospital, while the other was arraigned in court.
It’s a crime spree from North Carolina to the Mountain State, that has led to the arrest of a father and son from Texas, 54-year-old Edward Campbell and 21-year-old Eric Campbell and they’re accused of doing the unthinkable.
Two Lewisburg police officers pulled Eric Campbell over along I-64 on Thursday night because the North Carolina license plate on the SUV he was driving came back as stolen.
“Contact was made with the male driver of the white Suburban and while obtaining license and vehicle information, another male subject approached the vehicle from the red truck,” said Chief Tim Stover, Lewisburg Police Department.
The red truck was driven by Eric’s father, Edward, and that’s when things took a drastic turn. “When officers Dove and Sams asked for that individual’s identification, he (Edward) produced a handgun and started firing at Dove and Sams,” said Chief Stover. West Virginia State Police said Edward fired shots at the two officers, and they returned fire, hitting him in the leg. The father and son duo took off, but were later apprehended.
Lt. Dove was hit in the upper left part of his chest and scrapnel lodged in the back of his neck. Ptlm. Sams was hit in the lower right rear of his back and also had a superficial wound to his forehead. The wearing of personal body armor saved these two officers lives. Both officers were wearing the Alpha Elite AXIIIA at the time of the shooting. Dove and Sams were transported to Greenbrier Valley Medical Center for treatment of their injuries and released on January 02, 2015.
But the story doesn’t end there. Investigators found two deceased bodies hidden under a mattress in Edward’s truck during a search. According to media outlets in Charleston, the couple was 72-year-old Jerome Faulkner and his wife 62-year-old Dora from North Carolina. The Campbells allegedly broke into their home, burned it, and killed them. It’s a crime that has left the community in shock.
“It just seems like a trend that has taken off. Somehow we have to get it stopped. It’s a terrible thing,” said Bob Hupp, Hancock County resident. The Campbell’s are charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer.
“These two individuals represent the face of evil and have no regard for human life,” said Chief Stover. Authorities in North Carolina are still handling the investigation into the double homicide.
Officials have not found any connection yet between the Campbells and Faulkners. They believe this was apparently a random act. There is no word yet on where the autopsy will take place.
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