POLICE: Shooter should be considered armed and dangerous
BY MARK BELL
MBELL@DNJ.COM
UPDATE 4:15 P.M.
Ticie Stacey, 27, is shocked, surprised and even a bit scared after hearing news that a shooting happened right next door to his home while he and his baby niece slept Tuesday night.
Stacey has lived next to 1320 Peachtree Street — the spot of a fatal shooting Tuesday night — for two years. It’s a relatively quiet neighborhood off of Broad Street, a stones throw away from Hooters Restaurant.
“We’re scared, especially with the new little girl in the house,” he said. “We were glad to hear no one else was hurt last night. We say hello to the older lady that lives next door when we see her.”
Stacey said he didn’t know anything was going on outside his home until around 1 a.m. He peeked his head out the door and noticed that police and other emergency services personnel were swarming the area. Crime scene tape across the yard next door caught him by surprise.
“We didn’t expect it,” he said. “We were shocked.”
Police presence in the area has remained high since the shooting. Officers in patrol vehicles were posted at either ends of Peachtree Street Wednesday afternoon. At least two more officers were spotted driving around in the area of Peachtree Street.
Multiple police agencies are now involved in the search for Derrick Campbell, who is accused in the overnight shooting death of Christopher L. White at the Peachtree Street home.
“We know that he has got ties in the Columbia area,” said Murfreesboro Police Maj. Clyde Adkison, in a Wednesday afternoon interview with The Daily News Journal. “While that doesn’t mean he is there, it does mean we know about those ties and have taken appropriate steps. We will obviously follow up on any tips and leads that we get concerning him.”
Police announced a $1,000 reward is now being offered through CrimeStoppers for any information that leads to the arrest of Campbell. Anyone with information is urged to call CrimeStoppers at 893-STOP (7867) between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“A be-on-the-lookout has been issued statewide,” Adkison said. “I would classify this an active search at this time. He’s still on the run and we’re still actively seeking him.”
Check back for more on this story at dnj.com as this story develops.
UPDATE 2:45 P.M.
A man accused in the overnight killing of his estranged wife’s friend is still at large as of 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to police.
Multiple investigatory agencies across Middle Tennessee are currently involved in the search for 32-year-old Derrick Campbell, who is accused of killing 31-year-old Christopher L. White at a 1320 Peachtree Street address overnight in Murfreesboro.
Giles County Sheriff Kyle Helton said members of his department have been notified of the Campbell’s wanted status and have issued a be-on-the-lookout for anyone matching his description.
“We’re aware of the murder that occurred,” he said. “We have notified our officers and posted pictures of this suspect to our men and have been in contact with the U.S. Marshals Service.”
Helton said it was his understanding, however, that Campbell “has more ties to Lewisburg and had been coming to Pulaski somewhat infrequently.”
U.S. Marshals Service spokesman Danny Shelton said his home agency is providing assistance via manpower and other special resources to MPD.
“We’ve offered our assistance in the search for this dangerous fugitive,” he said. “If he runs, there is nowhere in the U.S. that he can go where we can’t find him.”
Officials at the Lewisburg Police Department did not immediately return calls to a Daily News Journal reporter seeking an interview.
Check back at dnj.com throughout the day for more on this story.
UPDATE 12:27 P.M.
Divorce court records reveal that Necole Campbell had first filed for a divorce from her husband, Derrick, in June 2007, but proceedings were canceled earlier this year after the two let the issue expire.
Derrick, who is now wanted for murder in relation to a shooting at a 1320 Peachtree Street home Tuesday night, at first agreed to the divorce, according to court records. The reason cited was “irreconcilable differences.”
Necole had filed an order of protection against Derrick in August 2008, after he threatened to beat her and sat outside her work and home for hours at a time. The order was granted and served in September 2008.
During that time Derrick had threatened suicide, according to court records. He called Necole’s father on more than one occasion threatening suicide and “asked my father if he ever felt like giving up on life.”
The divorce case was dismissed after both parties let the issue expire. The violation of the order of protection (see previous update) that occurred in February was dismissed along with the case.
Records show Derrick formerly worked for South East Corners in Lewisburg, Tenn. He also resided at 718 Cedar St. address in Lewisburg for some time, before residing at a 1420 Titan Way address.
Necole and Campbell have one 3-year-old boy together.
Derrick had no criminal record on file in either Rutherford County General Sessions Court or Rutherford County Circuit Court.
Check back at dnj.com for more on this story momentarily.
UPDATE 11:11 A.M.
Police are now searching areas between Rutherford County and Giles County for murder suspect Derrick Campbell.
Murfreesboro Police spokesman Kyle Evans said police believe Campbell may try to travel to Giles County, where he is known to have contacts.
Police believe he may have had an accomplice pick him up after the shooting at Peachtree Street Tuesday night, or may have even stolen another vehicle to elude police.
"We're looking at every possibility at the moment," Evans said.
Check back with The Daily News Journal throughout the day for more on this developing story.
UPDATE 11:02 A.M.
A subject wanted for the murder of a man at a Peachtree Street home Wednesday morning had several prior charges filed against him for domestic assaults and order of protection violations, police records reveal.
Derrick Campbell, 32, address unknown, is believed to have shot and killed 31-year-old Christopher White late Tuesday at a 1320 Peachtree Street home occupied by his estranged wife and mother-in-law.
Campbell, who is still at large, had at least three times before threatened to kill or harm his wife, according to documents on file at the Murfreesboro Police Department.
The most recent domestic violence incident occurred at the same Peachtree Street home where 31-year-old Christopher L. White was found shot late Tuesday.
According to a report filed June 23 by Murfreesboro Police Officer Patrick Rottero, Derrick Campbell had gone to see his estranged wife at the home in regards to disciplining one of Nicole’s daughters, who is Derrick Campbell’s step-child.
The discussion quickly escalated into an argument, Rottero reported, before turning physical.
“She stated that Derrick grabbed for her neck area and then shoved her to the ground, causing her to hit the garbage can as she fell,” Rottero reported. Derrick Campbell fled the area after Nicole’s daughter called 911.
In a separate incident, Derrick Campbell was arrested Feb. 21 and charged with violation of order of protection after threatening to kill Necole at a 431 NYU Place home.
Murfreesboro Police Officer Anthony Skok reported that Necole called police following a verbal argument with Derrick concerning their pending divorce.
“She advised me that Derrick became very upset about that discussion and shouted out ‘I want some (sex),” he reported. “Derrick then grabbed her wrist and tried to take her clothes off.”
Necole then threatened to call the police.
“Mr. Campbell said ‘If you call the police then you’re going to have to go to the hospital. The police can die like you can,’” Skok reported.
During the argument, however, Necole did grab a phone and call police, the officer reported. Derrick then fled the home, but returned later while police where still on the scene.
Derrick claimed that he never touched or threatened his wife, but had confronted her about a letter he found from another man addressed to her.
Skok radioed dispatch to check to see if Derrick had any outstanding warrants. The check revealed that he was violating an order of protection filed by his wife by being within 500 feet of her.
“Derrick was placed under arrest for violating an order of protection,” Skok reported.
On Aug. 18, 2008, police were called to a 1710 East Northfield Boulevard apartment, where Necole Campbell reported she was being harassed via the telephone by Derrick.
“Necole stated that for the past week, her soon to be ex-husband Derrick Campbell has been repeatedly calling her and making suicidal threats and threatening her with violence as well,” Murfreesboro Police Officer Joshua Meredith reported. “Necole stated that she feels threatened and believes Derrick is going to harm her.”
According to the report, Necole told police that Derrick had also shown up at her place of employment, the guidance center in Smyrna, but was asked to leave and did so. She added he had also harmed her physically in 2007.
Check back with The Daily News Journal throughout the day for more on this developing story.
UPDATE 10:06 A.M.
A report released by the Murfreesboro Police Department this morning reveals the chaos that ensued both inside and outside a Peachtree Street home after a man was shot to death there this morning.
Police revealed that Valerie Necole Campbell, 31, was trying to escape her 1320 Peachtree Street home via her bedroom window when police arrived on the scene.
“She was screaming for me to help her,” reported Murfreesboro Police Officer Deric Haynes. “She said someone had been shot by her husband, Derrick, who was still
Detectives believe Campbell broke into 1320 Peachtree Street around 11:46 p.m. and shot White multiple times.
“White is believed to be a friend of Necole Campbell, who is Derrick’s estranged wife,” said Murfreesboro Police spokesman Kyle Evans. “The suspect (Campbell) then fled the scene on foot.”
According to police, he was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and long blue-jean shorts. Investigators believe there was a prior history of domestic violence between the Campbells.
“Necole Campbell was in the process of seeking a divorce,” Evans said.
Those who might have information into the whereabouts of Derrick Campbell are asked to call 911 immediately.
“He has a violent criminal record and is considered to be armed and dangerous,” Evans said. “Anyone with information may also contact Detective Tannas Knox at 615-893-2717.”
REPORTED EARLIER
Police are searching for a man they believe broke into a Peachtree Street home late Tuesday night and killed another man.
Thirty-two-year-old Derrick Campbell, address unknown, is wanted in connection with the killing of Christopher L. White, 31.
Detectives believe Campbell broke into 1320 Peachtree Street around 11:46 p.m. and shot White multiple times.
“White is believed to be a friend of Necole Campbell, who is Derrick’s estranged wife,” said Murfreesboro Police spokesman Kyle Evans. “The suspect (Campbell) then fled the scene on foot.”
According to police, he was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and long blue-jean shorts. Investigators believe there was a prior history of domestic violence between the Campbells.
“Necole Campbell was in the process of seeking a divorce,” Evans said.
Those who might have information into the whereabouts of Derrick Campbell are asked to call 911 immediately.
“He has a violent criminal record and is considered to be armed and dangerous,” Evans said. “Anyone with information may also contact Detective Tannas Knox at 615-893-2717.”
—Mark Bell, 615-278-5153
No comments:
Post a Comment