Snohomish County, Wash. – David James Neff, 44, was arrested on July 15 after a disturbing incident in which his 4-year-old son accidentally shot his wife, Sandi Weaver, in the arm with an unsecured firearm. The gun, which was holstered at Neff’s waist while he was reportedly sleeping, was grabbed by the child and discharged. Following the incident, further investigation uncovered a massive arsenal of weapons and homemade explosive devices, leading to additional charges and a significant increase in Neff’s bail.
Incident Details
The shooting occurred around 9 a.m. on July 15 when Neff’s young son found the holstered gun and accidentally fired it, injuring Weaver in the arm. The injury was non-life-threatening, and she was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Both children, including a 9-year-old sibling, were later placed into the care of relatives.
Discovery of Weapons and Explosives
While responding to the shooting, deputies found Neff “pale, sweating, and eerily calm,” which led them to suspect drug use. Upon a search of the home, authorities discovered 73 firearms, including AR-style rifles, pistols, and short-barrel rifles. In addition, 10 homemade explosive devices, described as tubes filled with gunpowder, nails, and other materials intended to cause harm, were found in the house. These devices were safely removed by the Washington State Patrol bomb squad.
Neff, employed at a local armory, was not licensed to possess, manufacture, or store explosives, which led to serious criminal charges. Authorities also found drug paraphernalia and suspected drugs on him, including a meth pipe.
Legal Action and Charges
Neff was indicted on multiple felony charges, including:
Unsafe storage of a firearm in the first degree
Unlicensed possession of explosives
Possession of unlawful firearms
Reckless endangerment
Possession of explosive devices
He pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in Snohomish County Jail on a $1 million bond. Neff is scheduled for trial on September 26.
Bail Increase and Prosecutors’ Statement
Following the discovery of the arsenal and explosives, prosecutors sought an increase in Neff’s bail, arguing that the magnitude of the threat he posed to the community was not fully understood until the search was completed. Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Kristina Beske-Keplinger stated, “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.”
The shocking discovery of an extensive collection of firearms and explosives in the home of David Neff has raised serious concerns about public safety. The case remains under investigation, with Neff facing serious charges related to both the accidental shooting of his wife and his illegal arsenal.
