Staten Island Shooting Incident Involving Unemployed Police Officer
A man shot and killed by an off-duty police officer in Staten Island had a lengthy criminal record, with at least 22 previous arrests, as confirmed by law enforcement sources.
Jesse Campbell, aged 44, was shot shortly after 8 PM on Friday by an officer who mistook a realistic-looking BB gun for a real firearm. Notably, Campbell was arrested earlier in 2023 for assault after allegedly throwing a bin at two NYPD officers, although the outcome of that case remains unclear.
In addition to the assault charge, Campbell had prior arrests for offenses including criminal trespassing, petty theft, and drug-related charges.
Just hours before the incident, Campbell reportedly told family members that he feared he would be killed by police while he was outside Andrew’s diner in Eltingville with the BB gun.
Local residents expressed surprise at the situation, with one man noting, “There are some issues.” However, he insisted that Campbell had a good side, suggesting that he might have been joking around while under the influence. “I think he was just drunk or something and was probably running around joking with his BB gun. I wonder what happened,” he shared.
The man, who spoke fondly of Campbell’s family, mentioned past tragic events that impacted them. “His mother and father are great people. He’s not everything mentally. He has some issues. His brother was hit by a car 15 years ago and was paralyzed. He’s dealing with that,” he added.
Another relative conveyed the emotional toll of the incident, stating, “That’s heartbreaking.”
According to sources, police have obtained video footage showing officers repeatedly instructing Campbell to drop the BB gun prior to the shooting. A photograph released by the NYPD depicted the BB gun, which closely resembled a real firearm.
After the shooting, Campbell was transported to Staten Island University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
