Man from Holmesburg charged with burglary and assault following attack prior to police shooting in Bucks County.

In Buckingham Township, Pennsylvania, a significant police incident unfolded Saturday, resulting in the shooting of 52-year-old William Campbell, a local resident. Campbell reportedly threatened nearby residents while wielding a box cutter and a chain, declaring himself an “angel of death.” The confrontation arose after Campbell crashed his van into a parked pickup truck on Redfield Road.

According to police reports that emerged on Tuesday, Campbell has been charged with serious offenses, including aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and burglary. Witness accounts indicate that prior to the collision, Campbell was driving his vehicle erratically at high speeds, ultimately veering off the road and damaging both his van and the parked truck.

Following the crash, Campbell exited his vehicle and began shouting incoherently, making statements laden with religious themes and political references. One eyewitness said Campbell confronted him outside and made threatening gestures with his box cutter and chain. Despite the homeowner’s insistence that Campbell leave his property, Campbell pursued the man into his garage. It was at this precarious moment that police arrived on the scene.

An unnamed police officer attempted to de-escalate the situation by urging Campbell to drop the weapon. When Campbell failed to comply, the officer deployed a Taser. However, Campbell managed to remove the Taser prongs from his body and continued to approach the officer brandishing the box cutter. The officer subsequently shot Campbell twice, striking him in the abdomen.

Campbell was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for treatment and was discharged on Monday into police custody. Following his arraignment on Tuesday, he remains incarcerated with bail set at 10 percent of 0,000. There has been no indication that he has retained legal representation.

Post-incident investigations revealed that Campbell possessed buprenorphine, a drug used to treat opioid addiction, and naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, at the time of the confrontation. A relative has reported that Campbell’s mental health had significantly deteriorated in the days leading up to the incident, prompting concerns for the safety of his children, who were sent to stay with their grandparents. A mobile crisis unit had even visited Campbell’s home the previous evening, but medical staff did not deem him a risk to himself or others.

Campbell’s behavior appeared increasingly erratic, including communicating with relatives in a “Chinese accent” shortly before the crash. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 8, with the investigation into the officer-involved shooting being conducted by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

This incident underscores pressing concerns regarding mental health and public safety, illustrating the complex interplay between behavioral health issues and law enforcement responses. As the situation develops, community members remain on edge, awaiting further details from ongoing investigations.

Media News Source.