Rochester police release body camera video in fatal officer-involved shooting

Rochester police have released body-worn camera footage showing the fatal shooting of a 38-year-old man by officers responding to reports of attempted car break-ins on Ernestine Street in the city’s 19th Ward.

Body Cam footage shows the events leading up to the fatal shooting of Akintunde Campbell on July 31, 2025 in Rochester, NY (Click the image to view the body cam video released by RPD)

The video, made public Friday, captures a tense confrontation between police and Akintunde Campbell, who police say ignored multiple commands to drop a loaded handgun before two officers opened fire. The shooting occurred around 7:36 p.m. Thursday, shortly after several 911 callers reported a man in red attempting to enter vehicles and acting erratically near Thurston Road.

According to Rochester Police Chief David Smith, officers located Campbell sitting on the hood of a car. The video shows one officer attempting to physically detain him in a driveway before being knocked to the ground. Campbell then walked away, keeping his hands concealed in a hoodie pocket.

In the footage, officers can be heard repeatedly ordering Campbell to “put it down” as he turns and reveals a handgun. Within seconds, both officers discharged their weapons, firing approximately 11 shots. Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene. A 9mm handgun with 13 rounds was recovered next to his body.

“This is a human tragedy all the way around,” Smith said at a Friday press briefing. “But after reviewing the video, I believe our officers responded exactly how they were trained, and acted professionally in an extremely dangerous situation.”

Both officers have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol during an investigation. The New York State Attorney General’s Office is leading the independent review, as required in all police-involved deaths.

The Rochester Police Accountability Board called for a thorough and transparent investigation and urged community members to engage in the process.

The Rochester Locust Club, the union representing city officers, defended the officers’ actions, saying they “acted courageously to protect themselves and the community.”

The body camera footage, available on the department’s YouTube channel, was released in an effort to maintain transparency and build public trust, Smith said.

Anyone with additional information or video of the incident is encouraged to contact the RPD Major Crimes Section at (585) 428‑7157 or email MajorCrimes@CityofRochester.gov.