Nov. 19, 6 p.m.: This story has been updated to include information that the suspect is charged with six counts of capital murder and remarks by the district attorney and sheriff regarding the case.
PALESTINE, Texas – The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office has positively identified the victims and provided details on the six people shot and killed on a weekend camping trip that included two former local residents.
Sheriff Greg Taylor said Carl Johnson, 76, his daughter Hannah Johnson, 40, both former residents of Farmington, and her son Kade Johnson, 6, were among those killed Saturday.
Also identified were Hannah Johnson’s partner of five years Thomas Kamp, 46, and his two adult sons Nathan Kamp, 23, and Austin Kamp, 21, who were visiting from California.
A suspect, William Mitchell Hudson, 33, has been arrested and charged with murder. Police currently say they still don’t have a motive for what they are calling the largest mass murder in that county’s history.
Carl Johnson’s wife Cynthia Johnson managed to escape the attack by hiding in the woods until she was able to call police on Sunday morning.
Sheriff Taylor said his office was called at 7:02 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 to the report of a possible shooting. At 7:19 a.m. “deputies arrived and discovered the crime scene, two deceased, one male, one female in a travel trailer.” Taylor later identified the victims in the trailer as Carl and Hannah Johnson.
Law enforcement officers continued to search the area through the day on Sunday looking for four more people unaccounted for and to collect evidence which led them to a neighbor, William Hudson. He was found at his mother’s house, located near his own house. Later on Sunday, he “into custody without incident,” Taylor said, and “is charged with one count of murder and bond is set at $2.5 million.”
At 1:15 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, the bodies of four people, Thomas Kamp, his sons Nathan and Austin Kamp and Kade Johnson, were removed from a pond behind Hudson’s residence.
The only survivor of the killings, Cynthia Johnson, told police that on Saturday “a man riding an orange tractor approached the campsite and identified himself as ‘William.'” Hudson helped pull their vehicle out of the mud and then he returned to their campsite later in the evening.
“He sat with Cynthia Johnson and her family and consumed alcoholic drinks with them. He later accompanied several members of the family into the surrounding woods after which Cynthia Johnson heard multiple gunshots,” according to the arrest affidavit.
“William returned to the campsite alone” and he then reportedly “chased two of Johnson’s family members into the camper trailer.” Cynthia Johnson said she heard two gun shots and watched as her husband, Carl Johnson, fell onto the steps of the camper. Police said they identified the other body in the camper trailer as Hannah Johnson.
“Cynthia Johnson continued to hide hearing multiple gunshots,” the affidavit said, and “she continued to hide until she felt it was safe to move.” On Sunday morning she called police. On arriving at the campsite, officers canvased the area and found Hudson at his mother’s house, reportedly wearing a blood-stained shirt. Police located the tractor and said it also had blood on it.
The Johnsons both worked in the administrative offices at the University of Maine at Farmington and moved to Texas a decade ago when they retired. Hannah Johnson moved to Texas to be closer to her parents.
The families spent the weekend camping together on wooded land in East Texas that Thomas Kamp had purchased in August, according to Kamp’s uncle Steven Woodruff, at a news conference held on Tuesday.
In Farmington, Carl and Cynthia Johnson’s son, Erik, with wife Trudy help manage the Sandy River Farms with her parents, Bussie and Brenda York, and own the Sandy River Farm Market, both on the Farmington Falls Road.
“Carl and Cindy retired from the University of Maine at Farmington in 1999 to pursue their passion for traveling the country. They were valued members of the university community and we are deeply saddened by this senseless tragedy and our hearts go out to the family,” said Laurie Gardner, UMF’s chief business officer.
On Thursday, Nov. 19, Hudson was “was served with six separate arrest warrants for the offense of Capital Murder,” according to the Anderson County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.
“There are no adequate words to truly describe this horrific and senseless act,” said Anderson County District Attorney Allyson Mitchell. “Six members of two different, yet joined families are gone. Our hearts grieve for the Johnson and Kamp’s families and we will use all our resources to prosecute Hudson to the fullest extent of the law.”
“I would ask that we all continue to pray for the families of these victims,” Sheriff Taylor said today.
Please..if you can think of any small way to reach out and help the Johnson Family please do so. We are so blessed to have them serve our community with the presence of their farm..milk, meat, vegetables and quiet donations to elderly that cannot afford food, acts of generosity that go unnoticed by most of us. Now is the time to do what we can to offer their family kindness in this unimaginably difficult time.
What a shame! I worked with Carl at UMF and visited his place several times in New Sharon off of the industry road. He was an interesting fellow.
It’s so sinister–gives me chills. I’m very sorry for the victims and their families.
Hannah was in the Mt. Blue High School music program with my daughter, Rachel. These killings were so sad.
my heart bleeds for this family…I pray for you my brother and sisters… God be with you.
Please know, Cindy and her family, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Bless you.
As in all cases of violence and terror, the person conducting the acts against others has their picture plastered all over the front pages and in the small town websites all over the world. I really don’t care what a murderer or terrorist looks like. The latest nut job that was behind the Paris killings is shown smiling and in various videos that portray normalcy. Do you think that really helps the victims and more over, stops others from trying to be a martyr like him or her. People want recognition for their terror attacks. STOP showing the people that carry these acts out and show more of the victims, especially the poor kids. Perhaps, but sadly not, that may stop others from trying to be like them. The mentally misguided dude in Texas is shown with a vest on in a police picture. Who cares what he looks like.
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Cindy and her family really appreciates them. @Callahan…I couldn’t agree more.
Cindy’s brother
My heart just breaks for the two families, even though I know only Cindy and Carl. I can’t wrap my brain around the senseless, horrible tragedy that happened. There can never be a good answer to “why?” My prayers to Cindy and her family, and the Kamp family. I hope that somehow, in time, you can find some peace in your memories.
I attended school in Wilton, Maine with Cindy and we also graduated from Mt. Blue High School together. When I connected with Cindy at our class’s 45th reunion in September, she was so ecstatic about the wonderful summer that she and Carl had just had, visiting friends and family all over Maine. I am so happy, Cindy, that you enjoyed such a great summer. You are a true friend and a pleasure to spend time with. I want you to know that I am here for you whenever you need me. I have no words that will help take away the pain right now. Please just know that you are loved and that I continue to pray for you to overcome your grief and find peace.
Such a great couple and such a senseless tragedy. Carl and Cindy always enjoyed life and traveling to different parts of the country. Our prayers go out for you Cindy.
Don and Anita Waterhouse
Oh, Erik & Trudy! I am so sorry this happened to your family!! Just so shocking. I can’t even imagine what you are going through. Please know our community is sending lots of thoughts and support for you and your family.
Please take care and stay strong!!
Cindy, our love and prayers are with you at this horrible time. We can not believe such a horrible thing has happened. You and Carl have always held a special place in our hearts. It was such a pleasure working with you both at UMF and I will never forget all of the good times we had there and dinners with you at the lake and at our house. Please call upon us at any time you would like a shoulder to lean on or any other way we can be of help to you and your family. Our love and prayers are with you all and the Kemp family too.
Emma Jane
My thoughts and prayers go out to Eric,Trudy and their family. Also to Cindy Johnson and all of the families involved. Such a terrible,senseless act and for no known reason.
How sad that the sale of an obviously sentimental piece of property was handled so poorly by the family members involved in the transaction that an unstable man was blimdsided with the news. Innocent people died because no one foresaw the guy would handle the news poorly.
There are just no words God bless the families to get through this..