Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Releases Report on Death of Akintunde Campbell

March 20, 2026

NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James' Office of Special Investigation (OSI) today released its report on the death of Akintunde Campbell, who died July 31, 2025, following an encounter with members of the Rochester Police Department (RPD) in Rochester. After a thorough investigation, which included review of 911 calls and body-worn camera footage, crime scene analysis, interviews with the involved officers, a ballistics report, and comprehensive legal analysis, OSI concluded that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers' actions were justified under New York law.

At approximately 7:35 p.m. on July 31, RPD officers were dispatched to Ernestine Street in Rochester following 911 calls reporting a man looking into and appearing to enter cars. When officers arrived, they encountered Mr. Campbell, who matched the description from the 911 calls, standing in a driveway on Ernestine Street. Officers spoke briefly with Mr. Campbell, who said he was in the area waiting for a friend, and then attempted to walk away from the officers.

Officers then noticed a bulge in the front pocket of Mr. Campbell's hoodie, which they believed to be a weapon, and attempted to detain Mr. Campbell. A struggle ensued, and Mr. Campbell was able to break away from the officers and again tried to walk away, keeping his hand in his pocket. Officers pointed their guns at Mr. Campbell and repeatedly asked him what was in his pocket. Mr. Campbell then pulled a gun from his pocket and held it with both hands, facing the officers. The officers repeatedly instructed Mr. Campbell to drop the gun, but he did not comply. Both officers discharged their service weapons, striking Mr. Campbell. Mr. Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers recovered a handgun at the scene.

Under New York's justification law, a police officer may use deadly physical force when the officer reasonably believes it to be necessary to defend against the use of deadly physical force by another. In this case, officers attempted to detain Mr. Campbell after spotting a bulge in his pocket, which they believed to be a weapon. After a struggle, Mr. Campbell pulled a gun from his pocket and ignored repeated commands from officers to drop the weapon. Under these circumstances, given the law and the evidence, a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers' use of deadly physical force against Mr. Campbell was justified, and therefore OSI determined that criminal charges would not be pursued in this matter.