A Washington state man was arrested after his 4-year-old son accidentally shot his wife with a gun that was left unsecured in their home.
The investigation that followed led to the discovery of a huge stockpile of weapons and homemade explosive devices, prompting authorities to raise the man’s bail amount due to the potential threat he posed to the community.
Incident and Arrest
David James Neff, 44, was arrested on July 15 after his wife, 41-year-old Sandi Weaver, was shot in the arm by their young son. According to court documents obtained by local ABC affiliate KOMO, Neff was asleep when the child grabbed a gun holstered to his waist and accidentally discharged it, injuring his mother.
When authorities arrived at the scene, they found Neff’s wife bleeding from a non-life-threatening wound, and both of their children were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Neff was reportedly calm and appeared pale and sweating when questioned by police, which led them to suspect drug use. Upon searching Neff’s person, authorities found meth and drug paraphernalia.
Discovery of Weapons and Explosives
What initially appeared to be a simple gun safety lapse soon escalated into something much more serious. After Neff’s arrest, a search of his home uncovered a vast arsenal of weapons. Investigators discovered 73 firearms, including short-barrel rifles, AR-style rifles, pistols, and a bump stock.
Neff had reportedly claimed that 13 firearms were securely stored in a safe, but authorities found an additional 60 unregistered and unsecured weapons scattered throughout the home.
More alarmingly, police also found 10 homemade explosive devices, which were described as tubes filled with gunpowder, nails, and other materials designed to cause maximum injury. These devices were removed safely by the Washington State Patrol bomb squad. Authorities also found gunpowder and other materials that could be used to make ammunition.
Charges and Bail Increase
Prosecutors revealed that Neff, who was employed at a local armory, was not licensed to possess or manufacture explosives. The discovery of the weapons and bombs prompted them to increase Neff’s bail to $1 million, citing the serious threat he posed to the community.
Kristina Beske-Keplinger, Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney, said the full scope of the danger Neff represented was only realized after the search was completed.
“An individual who works at an armory would be expected to appreciate the need for firearm safety. Instead, he added bombs to an unsafe situation,” she commented.
Legal Proceedings and Current Status
Neff has pleaded not guilty to 14 felonies, including unsafe storage of firearms, unlicensed possession of explosives, and multiple counts of possessing unlawful firearms and explosive devices. He remains in custody at Snohomish County Jail on a $1 million bond. His trial is scheduled for September 26.
