Documents Detail Chaos Before Bucks Co. Campground Killings

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — A weekend camping trip attended by a group of 15 people took a violent turn Saturday in Bucks County, as a chaotic fight ended in gunfire that killed two people, according to documents released by police.

An affidavit of probable cause charging Miles K. Jones, 40, of Philadelphia with two counts of homicide in connection with the killings provides details on the moments leading up to the shooting.

The fatal incident happened around 2 a.m. at Homestead Campgrounds in West Rockhill Township.

Eric Braxton, 41, and Arthur Hill, 46, both of Philadelphia, died in the shooting.

Witnesses told police a group of 15 people had been sharing two camping lots, and had 10 tents pitched.

According to the affidavit prepared by Bucks County detectives and Pennridge Regional Police Department, Hill and his two sons were the last three people in the group awake around the campfire. That's when they heard a commotion coming from Jones' tent, which he was sharing with his girlfriend.

Jones' girlfriend was yelling for help, so Hill and his sons went over. They found Jones attempting to push the tent over with his girlfriend still inside, the affidavit said.

Hill then intervened, telling Jones to "calm down." Jones responded by shoving Hill, the affidavit said, and one of Hill's sons became involved in the physical altercation by punching him.

Jones, dazed but still conscious following the punch, made numerous threats to the group, including saying "this isn't over, nobody's safe, nobody's safe" and "all of you (expletive) are going to pay for this," according to the affidavit.

Jones then went to his girlfriend's car, where he remained for about 15 minutes. He was seen retrieving a duffle bag from the trunk, and then sat inside the car with the bag, the affidavit said.

The group reconvened around the campfire, where they were consoling Jones' girlfriend, when Jones got out of the car and started walking toward the group. Braxton walked over to Jones, telling him to stay in the car. That's when Jones pushed him out of his way, then shot him once in the chest, the affidavit said.

Upon hearing the shots fired, the rest of the group began running. Jones shot Hill once in the back before he could escape, the affidavit said.

Police arrived on the scene minutes later, where they found Jones with the 9 mm handgun he used in the shooting. He was taken into custody 20 to 30 yards from where the killings occurred, according to police.

The two victims were found bleeding from their wounds. Braxton died at the scene; Hill was pronounced dead at Grand View Hospital.

Jones has been charged with criminal homicide, possession of an instrument of crime, and recklessly endangering another person.

He was taken to the Bucks County Correctional Facility, where he was held without bail.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively set for Oct. 31.