Rochester Police Officers Shoot Suspect Who Pulled Gun from Hoodie

 

Rochester, N.Y. — A series of 911 calls on July 31, 2025, led to a fatal police encounter in the city’s northeast neighborhood. According to the Rochester Police Department, the incident began with reports of a suspicious male wandering through residential yards and attempting to interact with vehicles and residents in the area near 33 Ernestine Street.

The first call was placed at 5:23 p.m., when a concerned resident reported that a man, later identified as 38-year-old Akintunde Campbell, was seen walking onto a home’s deck and appearing to go door to door without a clear purpose. The caller described him as wearing red clothing, which would become an important detail as further calls came in.

At 7:17 p.m., another 911 call was received, again reporting that a man matching the same description was seen near Ernestine Street, continuing to behave suspiciously. Just minutes later, at 7:26 p.m., a third report was made from nearby Milton Street. In this instance, the caller stated that the man in red clothing had tried to enter an occupied vehicle that was parked in a private driveway—an action that significantly escalated the level of concern for both the public and responding officers.

By 7:32 p.m., a fourth call came in stating the same individual was now sitting on the hood of a car, continuing to act erratically. Officers were dispatched to the area, and at 7:36 p.m., they arrived at 33 Ernestine Street, where they located Campbell, who matched the description provided by the series of 911 callers.

Upon making contact with Campbell, officers attempted to engage him peacefully, but the interaction escalated quickly. According to the initial police statement and body camera footage review, one officer made physical contact, trying to prevent Campbell from walking away. During this attempt, Campbell allegedly knocked the officer to the ground, at which point the officer disengaged, and both officers resumed trying to communicate with Campbell in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

After several seconds of attempted dialogue, Campbell turned to face the officers. At this point, he reportedly reached into the pocket of his hoodie and pulled out a handgun. Both officers gave repeated verbal commands for him to drop the weapon, but Campbell did not comply.

In response to the immediate threat, both officers discharged their service weapons, firing multiple rounds that struck Campbell several times. After the shooting, additional officers on the scene immediately began to provide emergency medical assistance, applying life-saving measures until emergency medical services (EMS) arrived. Despite their efforts, EMS personnel determined that Campbell was deceased at the scene.

A Palmetto State Armory 9mm handgun, loaded with 13 rounds, was recovered near Campbell’s body. Investigators later confirmed that it was the same weapon Campbell had brandished during the confrontation.

The Rochester Police Department’s Professional Standards Section, along with the New York State Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation, is conducting a full investigation into the incident, as required under state law for any fatal police encounters. Body camera footage, witness statements, and physical evidence are all being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation to determine the full sequence of events and whether departmental policies were followed appropriately.

The incident has sparked concern and debate in the Rochester community, especially given the multiple interactions that occurred before the shooting. While police officials have emphasized the danger posed by an armed suspect who failed to comply with commands, some community members have called for greater transparency and accountability, particularly when lethal force is used.

As investigations continue, the department has stated that both officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the internal and independent reviews. The final report is expected to provide a detailed analysis of the events that unfolded on that summer evening.