KINGMAN – A review of the Lake Havasu City police department’s independent investigation of an officer involved shooting in Kingman has produced the conclusion that SWAT team members were justified in firing at Shawn Campbell, but that the 29-year-old died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The legal review conducted by Mohave County attorney Matt Smith noted that the Mohave County Medical Examiner determined that Campbell committed suicide, and died from a gunshot to the head.

The Smith narrative noted that Campbell and his girlfriend attended a wedding that Sunday. It stated that Campbell drank heavily and was intoxicated when they returned home in the 4200 block of North Irving St. about 10:30 p.m.

“Mr. Campbell broke the bathroom door, was screaming and yelling at his girlfriend, knocked things over and eventually pulled a gun out from his side of the bed that was located under a mattress,” Smith said. Smith said Campbell threatened to kill himself as well as police when the girlfriend said she was going to call law enforcement.

Smith said no one was injured when Campbell fired at himself, his girlfriend, her children and his own father. “When Deputy Nasia Shrader arrived at the residence, Mr. Campbell opened the front door and fired a shot at her from his handgun,” Smith said.

A standoff ensued and Mohave County Sheriff’s office SWAT team members ordered Campbell’s surrender and used flashbang devices as a diversionary tactic. A sheriff’s office sergeant and three SWAT team members missed when they fired at Campbell after he pointed his weapon at the sergeant.

Smith said officers subsequently heard a muffled gunshot from inside the home and that a deployed robot located the deceased suspect.

“They eventually entered the home and found the suspect had shot himself on the right side of his head with a handgun that was still in his hand,” Smith said. “The suspect also had a handgun next to his body.”

Dave Hawkins