Florida – In a harrowing incident in Florida that left residents in shock, a 22-year-old Texas man, identified as J. Campbell, traveled over 1,000 miles to kill his 83-year-old grandfather, identified as George W. and 81-year-old grandmother, identified as Mary W., and then claimed divine instruction for the horrifying act he carried out.
Campbell, 22, was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder after driving over 1,000 miles from Texas to the elderly couple’s residence in Florida, and fatally shooting them. He remains in custody at the county jail without bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for August 21. Investigators have described the case as one of the most unsettling in recent memory, citing Campbell’s disturbing statements during and after his arrest.
The tragedy unfolded on the evening of July 23, 2025, when deputies responded to reports of a shooting. According to a probable cause affidavit, George ran desperately to a neighbor’s home, pounding on the door and pleading for help. The neighbor let him inside and went to call 911, but moments later, gunfire erupted through the door. George was struck in the chest, and the neighbor’s 25-year-old granddaughter was also wounded by the gunfire. George was rushed to the hospital but later died. The young woman survived with non-life-threatening injuries. Inside the couple’s residence, deputies found Mary. She had been shot in the face and hand and was pronounced dead at the scene.
As deputies canvassed the area, they encountered Campbell nearby. He was described as “sobbing uncontrollably and shouting a stream of incoherent words.” When approached, he rambled about retrieving his vehicle before being taken into custody. Once in the police cruiser, Campbell allegedly declared that God instructed him to kill his grandparents. Later, while speaking to detectives, he reportedly said, “Now Satan sees. I am a valuable man of the Kingdom.” After those statements, he refused further questioning. While investigators have not publicly confirmed a clear motive, neighbors say there had long been unease surrounding Campbell’s behavior.
Neighbor T. French recounted the terrifying moments when George ran to his home seeking safety. He said the elderly man had made it inside the locked door, but gunfire quickly tore through, leaving holes in the entryway. George was struck by the bullets before retreating to the bathroom. French, who had known George and Mary for more than 30 years, spoke warmly of them, describing the couple as some of the kindest neighbors he had ever known. He said George was the type of man who would always lend a hand to others. Another resident, S. Stewart, remembered hearing a series of shots — several in quick succession, a brief pause, and then one final round — followed by the anguished scream of a woman.
The murders have left the neighborhood devastated, with residents grappling not only with the violent deaths of a beloved elderly couple but also with the knowledge that their killer was their own grandson — a young man they say had long shown troubling signs. As the legal process moves forward, Campbell faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted. For now, the community is left to mourn George and Mary, described by those who knew them as kind, selfless, and deeply cherished.
