Bucks DA Jennifer Schorn: Man charged with terrorizing residents in Buckingham neighborhood before officer-involved shooting

A Philadelphia man faces numerous charges after terrorizing a Buckingham Township neighborhood on Saturday, which escalated into an armed confrontation with a township police officer who subsequently discharged his weapon.

William Francis Campbell, 50, was charged with five counts of recklessly endangering another person, four counts each of terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment, two counts each of burglary and possession of an instrument of crime, and one count each of aggravated assault, criminal trespassing, criminal mischief, driving an unregistered vehicle, careless driving, and driving at unsafe speeds.

Campbell was arraigned at his hospital bed Tuesday morning by Magisterial District Judge Maggie Snow who set bail at $250,000, 10 percent. His bail conditions included no contact with the victims, a mental health evaluation and for him to only take prescribed medication as directed.

This case is being investigated by Bucks County Detectives, as is protocol with all officer-involved shootings in the county. District Attorney Jennifer Schorn will review their findings and issue a determination upon the investigation’s conclusion.

The violent incident began at 3:36 p.m. Saturday when Bucks County Emergency Communications received a report of a violent crash in the 4800 block of Redfield Road and the van driver running around the area threatening citizens with a metal chain. Callers said the man was “going crazy” and “screaming that he’s an angel,” according to a criminal complaint.

A Buckingham Township police officer arrived at the scene of the crash minutes later. The officer approached the vehicles involved in the crash and discovered Campbell sitting in the passenger seat of a crashed GMC Savana van.

The officer stopped and then walked back in the direction of his patrol vehicle. Campbell exited the van and walked toward the officer. As Campbell advanced, the officer noted that he had a large metal chain with a pointed end piece draped over his shoulders and a box cutter in his right hand.

As he walked toward the officer, Campbell’s pants fell and he sat down to remove them, continuing to yell at the officer and a resident of Redfield Road who was outside. Campbell stood up after removing his pants and continued to yell at the officer and the resident. The officer had his Taser drawn and when Campbell turned to walk back, he fired, but the Taser had no effect after Campbell pulled the probe out.

Campbell then approached the retreating officer while raising the box cutter and the officer fired three shots, striking Campbell.  

Officers immediately began rendering aid on Campbell, who continued to yell at officers during this time.

Campbell was transported by helicopter to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for treatment. He is continuing to be treated at the hospital for two gunshot wounds to the torso.

At the scene, police recovered the box cutter, a tool with an exposed razor blade and a large chain with a pointed end piece. Inside Campbell’s discarded pants, police located controlled substances.

During their investigation, Bucks County detectives spoke to residents of Redfield Road and Mead Drive and examined video evidence, obtained from home surveillance, law enforcement mobile recorders and cellphones.

The investigation found that Campbell was driving his van on Redfield Road at a high rate of speed, leaving visible marks in the roadway as it rounded the curve that connected Mead Drive to Redfield Road. He then crossed into oncoming traffic, jumped a curb and entered a property in the 4800 block of Redfield Road, striking an unoccupied pickup truck with an attached trailer. The impact forced the truck off the driveway and into a tree.

Both involved vehicles sustained disabling damage and were inoperable.

The truck and trailer belonged to two contractors who were working on a home on Redfield Road. After the crash, they both heard Campbell yelling that he was the “angel of death.” They also said he grabbed a metal chain from his van and began swinging it around. The contractors said that Campbell also had a blade in his hand, which they described as a drywall or spackling tool. The contractors retreated inside the home with other residents until police arrived.

Others in the neighborhood reported seeing Campbell swinging the large metal chain in his hand and yelling at them and screaming religious and political statements toward any resident who was outside.

One resident told police he went outside after hearing the crash to see if anyone needed help. Upon leaving his home, the resident observed Campbell screaming, holding something in his hand, and walking toward his home.

The resident retreated into his open garage and Campbell followed him. Another resident yelled at Campbell to leave, but he refused. The residents entered their home through the interior garage door, shutting it on Campbell.

Campbell left the garage and shortly after, got into the violent confrontation with the Buckingham police officer. The residents inside reported hearing the interaction with the officer and Campbell disregarding the officer’s commands for him to stop.

This case is being investigated by Detectives with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Megan Hunsicker.