Kent police make arrest on anniversary of transient camp homicides

KENT, Wash. — On August 12, 2016, Kent patrol units responded to a transient camp located in the 22200 block of 88th Avenue South for reports of a 31-year-old female who had been shot. The victim, Louisa Campos, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Preliminary reports indicated that an unknown male came to the camp and was in a dispute with Campos when the male opened fire on her. The suspect fled the area and was not located.

On the following day, at about 2:40 p.m., Kent patrol officers were dispatched to a call of "suspicious circumstances" at the same transient camp where Campos was killed.

Officers arrived to find a male, identified as 48-year-old Robert Dias, had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said that Dias was a witness to Campos' homicide and that the same weapon was used in both shootings.

Investigators worked tirelessly on this case and up until just yesterday, the anniversary of Louisa Campos' homicide, the suspect was unknown. Kent Police Chieff Ken Thomas released the following statement:

"Our investigators were able to corroborate information they received and were able to positively identify the male suspect, as a 30-year-old Covington resident. With mutual efforts with other law enforcement agencies, the suspect was taken into custody without incident, and he is currently at the King County Jail awaiting his first appearance."

Investigators have not yet named the suspect, as he has not officially been charged in the murders.

"Neither Louisa Campos or Robert Dias deserved to be murdered in such a cold-blooded manner, I am so glad that their families at least have some peace," Detective Matt Lorette said.

"The timing of everything coming together was truly unimaginable. It's days like this that makes it all worth it," Detective Melanie Robinson said.

Cox Media Group