In the quiet evening of October 28, 2018, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a family dispute escalated into a tragedy that claimed the lives of two women. Ashley Campfield, a 29-year-old female, and her mother, 52-year-old Latricia Ezell, were fatally shot in a parking lot behind an apartment building on the 900 block of Fifth Street. The Lehigh County Coroner's Office later ruled both deaths as homicides, with the cause of death for both women being multiple gunshot wounds.
The investigation into the double homicide quickly led to a suspect who was tragically close to the victims. Zakiiy Altariq Carson, then 35 years old, was identified as the shooter. Carson was the son of Latricia Ezell and the brother of Ashley Campfield. The events leading up to the fatal shooting began with an argument inside their shared apartment. Authorities reported that Carson had been arguing with his mother and sister. After the argument, Carson went outside to smoke a cigarette. When his mother and sister came outside to leave, he shot them. In a surprising turn, Carson himself contacted the authorities, calling 911 to report that he had shot his mother and sister. This call led to his swift apprehension at the scene.
Following his arrest, Zakiiy Altariq Carson was charged with two counts of criminal homicide. As the legal proceedings unfolded, more details about the circumstances emerged. It was revealed that Carson had a history of mental health issues and had reportedly stopped taking his psychiatric medication in the weeks leading up to the incident. In June 2021, Carson entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill to two counts of third-degree murder. This plea was part of an agreement that resulted in a sentence of 25 to 50 years in state prison. The plea deal took into consideration his documented mental health history and the wishes of the surviving family members. Under the terms of his sentence, Carson will not be eligible for parole until he is 60 years old.
