Police: Belfair shooter David Campbell ‘executed’ his family, but motive unknown

SHELTON, Wash. – Investigators said David Campbell’s checkered past stretched from Pennsylvania to Wyoming, but none of his crimes were violent.

There was nothing in Campbell’s past that would indicate he would murder his wife and two adopted children and a neighbor last week before turning the gun on himself.

“This was a career criminal that murdered four people, victimized a fifth and shot himself,” said Mason County sheriff's chief criminal deputy Ryan Spurling.

Investigators worry they may never know why Campbell murdered his own family -- no apparent motive has been identified.

But the key to solving the case could be with the youngest child, a 12-year-old girl, who escaped the ordeal uninjured; she’s the only person to survive the massacre.

“Not having anybody left at the scene without any witnesses, it’s a little bit difficult,” said Undersheriff Jim Barrett.

Police said the 12-year-old girl ran out of the house and into the arms of police as soon as investigators arrived at Campbell’s home near Belfair on Friday morning.

“He wanted to make sure that she was exited or got out of the area,” said Spurling.

Police believe Campbell used a .380 handgun to kill his wife, Lana, two of her adopted children, Quinn and Tory, and his neighbor Donna Reed.

Police said all of the victims were found together.

“All four of the murdered victims were in the chicken coop and it appeared they had been executed,” Spurling said.

And the only person who may be able to shed light on the senseless murders is Lana’s 12-year-old adopted daughter who escaped unharmed. Police said she is being cared for by Child Protective Services.

“We have experts in forensic interviews with children that have been involved in traumatic events,” said Spurling. “Those experts are going to initiate an interview when they feel she is ready to do that.”

Campbell wasn’t supposed to have any firearms in the first place. Court documents said Campbell told a Kitsap County judge he didn’t have any firearms to surrender when he was slapped with an anti-harassment order in July 2015.

The murder weapon was registered to Lana’s late husband, along with four other long guns recovered at the scene.

Police said Campbell lied to the court last summer and law enforcement's hands were tied.

“This being a lower-tier order of protection, it is a voluntary and an honor system,” said Barrett.

Police said Campbell's criminal history ranges from theft, forgery and impersonating an officer in Pennsylvania, Wyoming and Missouri.

Investigators are hopeful that the youngest child who survived can explain why her mother and siblings were murdered.

“This is a terrible tragedy for the family,” said Sheriff Casey Salisbury. “We’re asked constantly what we can do for this family, I just ask that you be respectful and please keep the surviving girl in your thoughts and prayers.”

Police are asking for the public to help find a motive in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.