Escambia Man Indicted For Bringing Guns To Pensacola VA Clinic

May 27, 2020

A federal grand jury has indicted an Escambia County man for the possession of firearms, including a concealed firearm, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic in Pensacola.

The three-count indictment alleges that 58-year old Howell E. Camp illegally possessed a 5.56 mm Del-Ton Incorporated rifle and a 9 mm Smith & Wesson pistol at the federal facility. It is alleged that Camp possessed these firearms with the intent to commit a crime on May 6, 2020.

“The security of our federal facilities and those who work within them remains a priority of this office and we, along with our law enforcement partners, are deeply committed to protecting such facilities,” said United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida.

Camp is charged with possession of the firearms with the intent to commit a crime, for which he faces up to five years’ imprisonment. He is also charged with carrying a concealed firearm in violation of law, for which he faces up to three years’ imprisonment.

Comments

4 Responses to “Escambia Man Indicted For Bringing Guns To Pensacola VA Clinic”

  1. Dale on May 28th, 2020 1:42 am

    The issue of whether or not he planned to commit murder may come from his statement prior and after his arrest. The mere possession on the grounds of the VA is a felony in itself. There is a large sign at the entrance that gives notice that firearms are prohibited and a felony under federal law.

  2. Waterlady501 on May 27th, 2020 8:48 am

    There’s not enough information from the indictment to know what happened. If the man simply showed up with firearms and was arrested when he set off a metal detector, that doesnt show intent to commit a crime. That’s just dumb, not criminal. If someone called the VA clinic and said “A man is on his way there and has threatened to shoot up the place, ” or if the man himself made threatening actions or comments on site, that’s intent.

  3. Jake on May 27th, 2020 8:17 am

    Paul, another crime someone could commit with a firearm brought to a public building is Armed Robbery. He doesn’t have to shoot it, just show it

  4. Paul on May 27th, 2020 3:01 am

    The wording of the charge is disturbing – “charged with possession of the firearms with the intent to commit a crime” – the only crime someone will commit with a firearm brought to a public building is murder.

    The other statement “It is alleged that Camp possessed these firearms with the intent to commit a crime – isn’t that considered “premeditated? The sentences seem low for the possibilty of killing many innocent people if the accused carried out the shooting