Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into Death of Akintunde Campbell

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released footage from body-worn cameras (BWC) that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Akintunde Campbell, who died on July 31, 2025 following an encounter with members of the Rochester Police Department (RPD) in Rochester.

At approximately 7:37 p.m. on July 31, RPD officers responded to several 911 calls reporting a man looking into homes and cars on Ernestine Street in Rochester. When officers encountered the described individual – Mr. Campbell – on a sidewalk on Ernestine Street, a brief struggle ensued before he walked away from the officers and displayed a black handgun. The officers instructed Mr. Campbell to put the gun down, but he did not comply. Officers discharged their service weapons, striking Mr. Campbell. Mr. Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers recovered a handgun at the scene.

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released a compilation of footage from two body-worn cameras that officers were equipped with during the incident. The release of this footage follows Attorney General James’ directive that camera footage obtained by her office during an OSI investigation be released to the public to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime. 

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