William Campbell, who was 59 at the time of his death on Jan. 25, pointed a loaded weapon at a Winslow police officer who was flagged down after an apparent dispute.
WINSLOW TWP. -- The fatal shooting of an armed township man early this year was a justifiable use of deadly force, according to a review of the incident by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice.
William Campbell, who was 59 at the time of his death on Jan. 25, pointed a loaded weapon at a Winslow police officer who was flagged down after an apparent dispute with a woman he lived with and had known his whole life.
"Based upon the results of this investigation, Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo determined that the use of deadly force by [the Winslow officer] was clearly necessary to protect both the officer and the female from imminent death or serious bodily injury," according to a news release from the prosecutor's office.
According to investigators, Campbell was living on the first floor of a New Brooklyn Road residence with the woman, who owned the property and allowed the victim to stay there rent-free since 2014.
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The prosecutor's office said the woman told Campbell that a contractor was coming to measure for new windows. At that point, Campbell apparently assaulted the woman, followed her outside, pulled out a gun on her and threatened her to put the house in his name.
The woman managed to contact her husband and son by phone before the contractor showed up. He was told by the woman to come back at a later time, however he noticed what he thought was a gun in Campbell's hand and flagged down a marked Winslow police cruiser after leaving.
Upon arrival, the officer -- who was not identified by authorities -- ordered Campbell to drop his gun as he pursued his female victim who was running toward the officer. The officer fired one round, striking Campbell in the head and killing him. According to the prosecutor's office, Campbell had the loaded .38 Special revolver raised during the fatal encounter.
In the wake of the shooting, neighbors told NJ Advance Media that Campbell had never appeared to be an aggressive person.
"... all portions of the Attorney General's Law Enforcement Directive regarding uniform statewide procedures and best practices for conducting police use of force investigations that were in effect during the course of this investigation were complied with," according to the prosecutor's office.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
