In the early hours of April 16, a Ferguson police officer found himself facing a life-threatening situation that unfolded at a QuikTrip convenience store on West Florissant Avenue. The incident resulted in the fatal shooting of Joshua Campbell by the officer, as Campbell had also shot the driver of the vehicle he was riding in.
According to the police report, at approximately 1:33 a.m., two men arrived at the convenience store in a white Ford Escape. The driver, identified as Detarius Haynes, entered the store to make a purchase, leaving Campbell in the vehicle. Meanwhile, the officer parked his patrol SUV in front of the store.
Surveillance footage revealed that both men made their purchases inside the store and returned to their respective vehicles. Haynes then drove towards the gas pumps, bringing the officer closer to their vicinity.
As the officer walked towards his SUV, he suddenly heard gunshots. Reacting swiftly, he placed his purchased items on the hood of his vehicle and rushed towards the Escape to assess the situation.
The officer witnessed a victim fall from the driver’s seat, while an armed suspect emerged from the vehicle. From the officer’s body camera footage, he can be seen running towards the Escape with his service weapon drawn. Although the video is blurred, the body of Haynes is visible on the ground.
The officer issued verbal commands to the armed suspect, but they were ignored. Faced with the immediate threat to his life and the safety of others, the officer discharged his weapon, injuring Campbell. In an attempt to flee, Campbell, aged 18, ran towards West Florissant Avenue before ultimately collapsing.
Approximately 25 seconds after the incident unfolded, the officer radioed for assistance, notifying dispatchers that shots had been fired and the suspect was down.
During the subsequent investigation, authorities recovered a 9mm pistol belonging to Campbell, along with ten shell casings at the scene.
The Ferguson Police Department is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the precise circumstances that led to this tragic event. As facts continue to emerge, it is essential to allow due process to run its course and ensure a fair examination of the officer’s actions.
Residents and community leaders are calling for calm and urging everyone to respect the ongoing investigation. Providing support to the affected families and working towards a more peaceful and unified community remains a priority during these challenging times.