The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation has released its findings in the death of Akintunde Campbell, who was shot and killed by Rochester Police officers on July 31, 2025.
After a months-long investigation, the Attorney General’s office concluded that prosecutors would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers’ use of deadly force was justified under state law. A full investigation report will be released at a later date.
According to the findings, officers were called to Ernestine Street around 7:35 p.m. following reports of a man looking into or attempting to enter vehicles. When officers arrived, they found a man matching the description — later identified as Campbell — standing in a driveway.
Police say Campbell told officers he was waiting for a friend and then began to walk away. Officers noticed what appeared to be a bulge in his hoodie pocket, believed to be a weapon, and tried to detain him. A struggle followed, and Campbell managed to pull away and continue walking, still keeping his hand in his pocket.
Officers drew their weapons and ordered Campbell to show his hands. Investigators say he then pulled a gun from his hoodie and pointed it toward officers. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, he did not comply, and officers fired their service weapons, striking Campbell.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, and a handgun was recovered nearby.
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