Jersey City police investigate at the Walgreens at Communipaw Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard on July 13, 2014, after Police Officer Melvin Santiago was shot and killed by an armed robber. Joe Shine/For The Jersey Journal.
The man who fatally shot a Jersey City police officer this morning at a city Walgreens store told customer minutes earlier "to watch the news, he is going to be famous," officials said at an 11:30 a.m. press conference at city hall.
"This has been beyond a difficult morning not only for the police department but for the city," Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said at the press conference where he identified the man who kill Officer Melvin Santiago, 23, as Lawrence Campell, 27, of Grant Avenue.
Campbell entered the Walgreens at Communipaw Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard about 4 a.m. and asked a security guard where he could find greeting cards. He walked toward the cards and then left the store but circled back. He returned armed with a knife and repeatedly punched the security guard and took his handgun, Fulop said, adding that he did not attempt to rob the store.
Surveillance cameras show Campbell walking outside the store and speaking to a witness. Campbell, officials said, apologized to the witness for his earlier behavior and told the witness to watch the news later.
Police responded to the store at 4:09 a.m. on a report of an armed robbery and Santiago and his partner, Ismael Martinez, who were in a marked vehicle, were the first to arrive at the store, Fulop said.
Campbell approached their vehicle and fired at close range, striking Santiago in the head, Fulop said, adding that Santiago was in the passenger seat and he had opened his door. Campbell then fired three more rounds at a second police car, “striking its windshield in an attempt to kill two more officers,” Fulop said, adding that they were not injured.
Officers in both cars opened fire on Campbell who was pronounced dead at the scene, Fulop said.
The mayor said that during the investigation Campbell was identified as one of three suspects wanted in connection to a prior murder, although he did not provide details about that crime. Police also identified Daniel Wilson as another person of interest in the prior murder.
“The Jersey City Police Department has been applying high pressure and aggressively searching for Daniel Wilson for the past three days,” Fulop said.
Fulop described Santiago as an “enthusiastic and motivated” officer whose commander has joked recently that he should smile more.
Santiago was hired last July and he graduated from the police academy in December.
Santiago's body was identified at the Jersey City Medical Center by his mother who kept repeating, “That’s not possible,” Fulop said. She was accompanied by Santiago's stepfather and his 13-year-old brother.
The security guard was taken to the Medical Center for treatment and he received stitches. His niece told The Jersey Journal had was severely beaten by the man police have now identified as Campbell.
Santiago graduated from CREATE Charter High School in Jersey City and studied criminal justice at Hudson County Community College.