‘Pale, Sweating, and Eerily Calm’: Child’s Shooting of Mom Uncovers Arsenal and Alleged Attack Plans
A Washington state man is facing 14 felony charges after a child’s accidental shooting of his mother revealed a massive cache of weapons, explosives, and what prosecutors allege were plans for a mass attack.
David James Neff, 44, was arrested on July 15 after his 4‑year‑old son shot his wife, 41‑year‑old Sandi Weaver, in the arm with an unsecured handgun. According to court documents, Neff was asleep at the time, the weapon holstered at his waist. The boy allegedly grabbed the firearm and pulled the trigger, striking his mother.
Deputies arriving at the Snohomish County home found Weaver bleeding from a non‑life‑threatening wound and transported her to a local hospital. The 4‑year‑old also suffered a minor injury under his eye, likely from the gun’s recoil, and was treated at the scene alongside his 9‑year‑old sibling. Both children were later placed in the care of relatives.
Police noted Neff appeared “pale, sweating, and eerily calm” during questioning, prompting suspicions of drug use. A search of his person allegedly uncovered suspected drugs and a meth pipe, and further searches of the home revealed drug paraphernalia.
Initially, Neff told investigators he had 13 firearms registered to him and stored in a safe. However, when officers executed a search warrant, they discovered a staggering 73 firearms in total — many unsecured, unregistered, and including short‑barrel rifles, “AR‑style” rifles, pistols, and a bump stock.
Even more alarming was the discovery of over 10 homemade explosive devices. Prosecutors described these as tubes filled with gunpowder, nails, wiring, and other shrapnel materials “intended to kill and injure others.” The Washington State Patrol bomb squad was called in to remove the devices safely. Officers also found several containers of gunpowder and supplies for ammunition manufacturing.
Investigators say Neff was employed at West Coast Armory, a local gun shop and shooting range. Despite his experience, prosecutors allege he was not licensed to possess, manufacture, or store explosives under Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries regulations.
Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Kristina Beske‑Keplinger said the scale of the discovery dramatically increased the perceived danger Neff posed. “The magnitude of the threat that [Neff] poses to this community was not fully understood until the search concluded,” she 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.”
Court documents indicate prosecutors believe the combination of unsecured weapons, explosives, and apparent attack plans justified a higher bail amount. A judge agreed, doubling Neff’s bail from $500,000 to $1 million during a court appearance on Monday.
Neff pleaded not guilty to 14 felony counts, including:
- Unsafe storage of a firearm in the first degree
- Unlicensed possession of explosives
- Two counts of possession of an unlawful firearm
- Two counts of reckless endangerment
- Eight counts of possession of an explosive device
His trial is currently scheduled for September 26.
The case has raised renewed concerns in Washington about firearm safety, especially around children, as well as the threat posed by unregistered weapons and homemade explosives. Authorities continue to investigate Neff’s alleged plans, but have not disclosed specific targets.
In the meantime, law enforcement officials are urging gun owners to secure firearms and ammunition in locked storage, away from children, and to seek proper licensing and training for any hazardous materials kept in the home.
