News & Record
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The man who assaulted a Greensboro police officer Tuesday night made threats against his 2-year-old son, authorities said Wednesday at a news conference.
Kellie Campbell called 911 from work about 7:30 p.m.
She told police that her husband, who was at home with their child, sounded distressed during a phone conversation.
Tommy Campbell wouldn’t answer when she called him back, she told dispatchers.
Deputy Chief Dwight Crotts said Officer T.L. Simpson answered the call to the Campbell house at 4509 Lawndale Drive.
Crotts said Tommy Campbell repeatedly assaulted Simpson until she shot him several times.
Tommy Campbell, 34, remained in critical condition Wednesday at Moses Cone Hospital.
“Since Monday, he had been irrational,” Crotts said. “He said that he was going to harm the child.”
Police said Tommy Campbell had been on medication for a mental illness but had stopped taking it about a week ago. He had since begun acting in a way that his wife had not seen before.
Crotts said Tommy Campbell also assaulted a neighbor, who told police that she was struck by Campbell on Tuesday when she tried to return the family dog. Police said Campbell began striking the neighbor, grabbed her face and pushed it into a wall. The woman managed to get away and call 911.
The female officer and Kellie Campbell arrived at the house about the same time. Both women went inside to find the apartment ransacked. Blood was in the apartment because Tommy Campbell had injured himself.
Kellie Campbell fled the apartment with her son, who was not injured.
Simpson tried to leave, but she was attacked by Tommy Campbell. Police said he was unarmed but “talking incoherently.”
Simpson used pepper spray but it did not stop the attack, Crotts said.
The officer was struck several times before she was thrown to the ground with Tommy Campbell on top of her.
Police said Simpson shot him several times to stop the attack.
Tommy Campbell is 5 feet 9 inches and 225 pounds, said Susan Danielsen, spokeswoman for the Greensboro Police Department. Police described Simpson as “average build for a woman.”
Danielsen said the police department does not keep height and weight statistics on its officers.
Simpson was treated and released early Wednesday for “concussion-like symptoms,” Crotts said.
She is a 26-year veteran of the police department. This is the first time she has fired her weapon in the line of duty.
There will be an administrative investigation, which is routine for a shooting involving a police officer.
Charges will be filed against Tommy Campbell, Crotts said.
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