Victim’s family in murder-suicide discusses failure to respond allegations against Colorado Springs Police
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Tali'Ja Campbell claims her husband, Qualin Campbell, would still be alive if the Colorado Springs Police Department responded to her 911 call, warning the agency her husband was in danger.
On Friday, June 2, police began investigating a shooting inside a car at a parking lot off S. Nevada Ave., between a Taco Bell and a Wendy’s. At the scene, officers found two men dead inside an All Copy Products company vehicle from an apparent murder-suicide.
Georgia-based law firm Harry M. Daniels LLC, retained by Campbell's wife, claims CSPD knew about the dangerous situation he was in for nearly an hour before responding.
About an hour before the shooting, Qualin sent Tali'Ja a text with a picture of a man in his passenger seat and the words "911" and "Send please!"
Tali'Ja said she then called 911 and reported her husband was in danger. She provided his location and the description of the man in the picture. Worried for her husband of seven years, she started driving to his location herself.
After a 40 minutes drive, she arrived at the parking lot off of S. Nevada Ave. and saw his company vehicle and "immediately began to panic."
"I jumped out of my car," Tali'Ja said. "I left my car running, my door open. I didn't care. I wanted to save my husband."
There were no police officers on scene when she arrived. When she got to the car window, she found her husband dead in the driver's seat.
"It was me that had to try to perform CPR on my husband in a pool of blood," she said. "I shouldn't have been the one to have to do it."
According to the Colorado Police Department, officers were dispatched at 2:09 p.m. for gunshots. This was nearly an hour after Tali'Ja's 911 call, alleging the her husband was being held hostage.
Harry Daniels, the attorney representing the Campbell family, said the suspect, David Karels, was a transient, but wouldn't elaborate on why he was in Qualin's car.
"Why he was in a car? I don't know, but may never know," Daniels said. "But we know what did not happen."
CSPD declined to comment on the active investigation but provided a written statement.
"The loss of Qualin Campbell is a tragedy. Our condolences go out to Mr. Campbell’s family, who we know are suffering greatly. Our top priority is to provide them with answers. We are aware there is information circulating about this case, and we understand the concerns and questions that arise as a result. We will continue to gather all relevant details about Mr. Campbell's death and ensure the accuracy of our findings. While we recognize that many members of the community are eager for immediate information, it is our duty to provide the victim’s family with support and share the details of what we have learned with them before making any public announcement. We appreciate your patience and understanding."
Colorado Springs Police Department
Daniels said he will seek every legal action to address "justice for this family."
Tali'Ja described Qualin as kind and gentle.
"A lot of people called him a gentle giant," she said. "He doesn't bother anybody. He's introverted. We're both introverted."
The 31-year-old leaves behind a 4-year-old and a 14-year-old.
"Anything we needed, he was always there," Tali'Ja said. "He's just the protector and we no longer have that."
Campbell's family, joined by lawyers, discussed the accusations they've made against CSPD. The press conference was held at 11 a.m. outside the Colorado Springs Police Department on Thursday.
Watch below:
