A deadly confrontation near a Staten Island diner has left one man dead after an off-duty NYPD officer fatally shot him during an incident involving what was later determined to be a BB gun. The shooting occurred Friday evening outside Andrew’s Diner in the Great Kills section of Staten Island.
At about 8 p.m., a 911 call came in about a man with a gun at the back of a diner, according to Assistant Chief Melissa Eger of the NYPD Patrol Borough of Staten Island. The gun-wielding man — whom sources identified as Jesse Campbell, 44 — had a confrontation with two off-duty NYPD officers outside the diner, during which he pointed the supposed weapon at them, police sources confirmed.
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The Fatal Encounter
Police said they were called just before 8:30 p.m. at Hylan Boulevard and William Avenue in Great Kills, which is where Andrew’s Diner is located. Two off-duty officers spotted Campbell with what appeared to be a firearm and ordered him to put the weapon down.
Instead of complying, Campbell pointed the weapon at the officers, prompting one of the off-duty cops to open fire. The 44-year-old man was struck multiple times throughout his body and transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
BB Gun Discovered at Scene
The weapon that sparked the deadly encounter was later identified as a BB gun, not a real firearm. This revelation adds another layer of complexity to the incident, as officers had to make split-second decisions based on what they perceived as a genuine threat to their safety.
The shooting marks another tragic case where a replica or toy weapon led to fatal consequences during a police encounter. Such incidents have repeatedly raised questions about the challenges law enforcement faces when confronting suspects with realistic-looking fake firearms.
Investigation Underway
The NYPD is conducting a thorough investigation into the shooting, which is standard protocol for any officer-involved incident. The investigation will examine whether the officers followed proper procedures and if the use of deadly force was justified given the circumstances.
Both off-duty officers involved in the incident are expected to be interviewed as part of the investigation. Body camera footage and witness statements will also be reviewed to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to Campbell’s death.
Community Response
The Staten Island diner shooting has drawn attention from community leaders and residents who are concerned about the circumstances surrounding Campbell’s death. The Great Kills neighborhood where the incident occurred is typically quiet, making this violent encounter particularly shocking for local residents.
The incident also highlights ongoing discussions about police training and protocols when dealing with individuals who may be armed with replica weapons. Community advocates have long called for enhanced training to help officers distinguish between real and fake firearms, though the challenges of making such determinations in high-stress situations remain significant.
Previous Staten Island Incidents
This shooting comes amid heightened scrutiny of police use of force, particularly in cases involving weapons that turn out to be non-lethal. Staten Island has been the site of other controversial police encounters in recent years, making this latest incident particularly sensitive for the community.
The investigation into this Staten Island diner confrontation will likely take several weeks to complete. The findings will determine whether the officers’ actions were justified and if any changes to police protocols are needed to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The Campbell family has not yet made public statements about the incident, though they are likely working with legal counsel as the investigation proceeds. The community continues to await answers about what led to this deadly encounter outside the popular neighborhood diner.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more details emerge from the ongoing investigation.