Campbell’s Death: Justified Police Force, Says Report

New York – A chilling chapter in Rochester’s law enforcement history was deemed justified today as the Office of Special Investigation (OSI) under New York Attorney General Letitia James released its report on the death of Akintunde Campbell.

Campbell, 26, died July 31, 2025, after an encounter with the Rochester Police Department (RPD). The OSI’s thorough probe included a review of 911 calls, body-worn camera footage, crime scene analysis, interviews, and ballistics reports. Their conclusion: A prosecutor could not disprove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers’ actions were unjustified.

The incident unfolded at approximately 7:35 p.m., when RPD was alerted to a man peering into cars on Ernestine Street. Campbell, who matched the description, claimed he was waiting for a friend. When officers noticed a bulge in his pocket, they attempted to detain him. A struggle ensued as Campbell tried to escape and keep his hand in his pocket.

After a tense standoff, Campbell produced a gun and ignored orders to drop it. Both officers fired their weapons, leading to Campbell’s death at the scene. An investigation found that under New York’s justification law, an officer is allowed to use deadly force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to defend against another’s use of deadly physical force.

Given the evidence and the law, OSI determined that no criminal charges would be pursued. The report noted that the officers had reason to believe Campbell posed a threat and their actions were justified. However, many question whether the outcome could have been different with a less lethal approach.