An off-duty police officer fatally shot a man armed with a realistic-looking BB gun outside a popular diner in Staten Island, New York, on Friday, according to the NYPD. The gun-wielding man, who is believed to have engaged in a confrontation with two off-duty New York Police Department cops outside the establishment reportedly had a mental health history.

The incident is said to have taken place after 8 pm (local time) at Andrew’s Diner on Hylan Boulevard in Eltingville, the New York Post quoted the NYPD. “Due to police activity, avoid the vicinity of Hylan Boulevard and Heinz Avenue in Staten Island. Expect emergency vehicles and delays in the surrounding area,” the official NYPD News issued an advisory amid the ongoing investigation. 

New York shooting: What happened?

Source have since claimed that a 44-year-old suspect identified as Jesse Campbell was grappling with “significant” mental health issues. “It looks like suicide by cop,” a police source shared, adding that Campbell had allegedly told his mother and sister earlier that day that he had plans of being killed by the police.

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It was further divulged that the well-known diner reported a man causing disturbance at the eatery to the police. Subsequently, the individual got embroiled in an altercation with two off-duty cops. The armed man reportedly even pointed the purported weapon in his possession at the officers.

Before the situation slipped out of control, the off-duty officers present at the scene instructed the suspect to drop the gun. However, the devolving series of events resulted in a female officer – tied to the Internal Affairs Bureau – firing at the suspect. According to the NYPD, the off-duty cop in question shot at Campbell multiple times, ultimately hitting him all over the body.

Authorities recovered what is being touted a hyper-realistic BB gun from the scene. Jesse Campbell, though admitted to Staten Island University Hospital for medical aid, was reportedly pronounced dead.

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Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella has since issued a statement about the incident, praising the off-duty NYPD official who had “heroically stepped up to keep the public safe.”

This is a breaking story. More Information will be added soon…