Death of Reserve Constable William Campbell

William Campbell, a 27-year-old Protestant, was a married father of two and worked in a chemical factory. He also served as a Reserve officer in the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). He lived in Richmond Gardens, Carnmoney, County Antrim.

Campbell was on foot patrol near the Capitol Cinema on the Antrim Road when he was shot. A 12-year-old girl was also injured in the attack.

At the inquest, a fellow officer stated that they had been checking the exterior of the cinema when he heard three rapid gunshots. He then found Campbell lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The young girl told the inquest that she had been playing outside the cinema with friends when she heard the shots. She said she suddenly felt pain in her right leg, just above the ankle. She managed to move to a side door before crawling back to the front, where a man carried her inside.

A detective reported that the attackers used an Armalite rifle and had been waiting in a car, from which they opened fire.

Sergeant Ian Phoenix arrived shortly after the shooting. According to the book “Phoenix — Policing the Shadows” by Jack Holland and Dr. Susan Phoenix, Campbell spoke to Phoenix at the scene, asking to be taken home to his wife because he believed he was dying. A doctor initially reassured Phoenix that Campbell would survive, and he was taken to the nearby Mater Hospital. However, his condition worsened, and he later died in hospital.