The Road Rage Murder of David Knoepfle
On Friday, July 15, 2022, David Knoepfle met his fiancée, Nicole Wiens, in Spokane for dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Following dinner, David followed Nicole back towards her home in Newman Lake, Washington. They were in separate cars. Nearing the I-90 on-ramp at Maple Street, Nicole said either she drifted into another lane or a white Chevrolet sedan drifted into her lane; she was unsure. After a horn honk, Nicole thought the incident was over and entered eastbound I-90, with David still following. While in the far left lane of I-90 and David behind her, the Chevrolet caught up to her and threw something at her car. A road rage incident occurred and as Nicole was attempting to get away from the situation, she moved to the Chevrolet’s right side. The passenger window rolled down and the black male driver pointed a handgun at Nicole. David interjected himself into the situation and the attention of the Chevrolet driver turned towards him. With the Chevrolet on the right side, on or near the shoulder, and David’s vehicle to the left, the black male shot at David, striking his vehicle three times. One round entered David’s right side, below the arm, and entered his chest cavity, penetrating his lungs. David exited the freeway to Appleway Boulevard, but ran off the road and across a grassy lot, until his vehicle traveled through a fence and stopped. David died on scene from the gunshot wound to his torso. Nicole stopped and called 911, but rescue efforts to save David were unsuccessful.
Detectives from the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) were called to handle the homicide investigation. Investigation revealed, through witness interviews, cell phone records, social media searches, and other means, that Treven F. Lewis was suspect in David’s homicide. Treven’s current girlfriend, Asmin J. Bellinger, was also in the area the entire time. Treven had been driving Asmin’s 2014 Chevrolet Malibu and likely used her gold Glock 9mm to conduct the shooting. Treven was currently on parole for a Manslaughter 1, so DOC personnel were able to provide current contact and residence information, among other evidence. With some good, old fashioned police work and a few lucky breaks, Treven Lewis was arrested for the drive-by shooting murder of David Knoepfle. Asmin Bellinger was also charged with several crimes associated with this murder. In a plea deal, Treven Lewis was sentenced 22 years for David’s death.
Presenters' Bios
Detective Ben McBride
Professional Experience
Detective Sergeant
November 16, 2020 to current
Supervisor of the Wenatchee Criminal Investigation Unit from November 16, 2020 to December 31, 2020.
Supervisor of the Spokane Criminal Investigation Unit from January 1, 2021 to current.
Duties include supervision and assistance in the investigation of felony level criminal and collision cases within the area of responsibility of the assigned WSP district.
Sergeant – Field Operations Bureau
February 16, 2020 to November 15, 2020
Assigned to District Three Yakima.
Trooper Detective
October 1, 2012 to February 15, 2020
Assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) in Monroe from October 1, 2012 to July 31, 2015, and from April 16, 2017 to February 15, 2020.
Assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, Criminal Investigation Unit in Spokane from August 1, 2015 to April 15, 2017.
Commissioned Trooper
July 1, 2003 to September 30, 2012
Commissioned as a Washington State Patrol Trooper upon completion of the 89th Trooper Basic Training Class
Have been assigned in District Seven Oak Harbor and District Five Kelso, Chehalis, and Morton areas
Trooper Cadet
December 2, 2002 to July 1, 2003
Hired as Trooper Cadet with the Washington State Patrol
Attended the 11th Arming Class
Advanced Collision Investigation
July 22, 2005
64 hours – WSP Academy
Provisional Certified Technical Specialist
September 30, 2005 to October 19, 2006
Completed Technical Collision Investigation training
Pre-Academy Field Training Officer
August 8, 2006 to September 30, 2012
Detective Troy Corkins
April 2020 – Present
Detective • Investigator • Washington State Patrol
Responsible for investigating felony collisions that occur on state routes; as well as general criminal investigations, officer involved shootings, homicides, shootings and other violent crimes. Also partnering with the WSP Crime Lab as part of the Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT) to assist with investigations.
June 2001 – April 2020
State Trooper• Line Trooper • Washington State Patrol
Responsibilities include traffic law enforcement, criminal investigations, technical/reconstruction collision investigation, DRE Evaluations, EPU details, RDF Deployments, motorist assists, and commercial motor vehicle enforcement.
1987 – 2009
Chief Hospital Corpsman • Supervisor • United States Navy
Senior enlisted leader for a hospital unit specializing in emergency medicine. Deployed as the administrative Chief for a surgical hospital in support of combat operations.
1999 – 2001
Trooper Cadet • Trainee • Washington State Patrol
1995 – 1999
Phlebotomist • Courier • Pathology Associates Medical Laboratory
1993 – 1995
Podiatry Assistant • Back Office Assistant • Family Foot Center
Currently assigned as a Detective with a Criminal Investigative Unit in Spokane, Washington. I was a part of a select Executive Protection Unit assigned to the Governor of the State of Washington during the 2019 Presidential Democratic Campaign. During my 20 years of being a line trooper, I have had numerous responsibilities which include Collision Reconstructionist, Drug Recognition Expert, Traffic Incident Management Trainer, Rapid Deployment Force team member, Field Training Officer, District EPU Trooper. I Received the Chief’s Award for Professional Excellence in 2019. In 2016, I was selected as Trooper of the Year for District 4, Collision Technical Specialist of the year in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2018.