Jersey City Cop Killed During Fake Robbery, Gunman Shot Him Just To Be ‘Famous’


A Jersey City cop was killed during a fake robbery at a Walgreens store early Sunday morning. FOX News describes a deadly trick that someone played on rookie police officer, Melvin Santiago, 23.

Gunman, Lawrence Campbell, 27, allegedly called police to report a robbery to lure police there. He laid and waited for cops to arrive and told witnesses to watch the news because he was “going to be famous.” There wasn’t any robbery in progress.

Backup officers arrived at the scene with Santiago. Campbell shot Santiago in the head and two other officers fired back, killing the gunman.

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said Campbell of Jersey City was one of three suspects wanted for a previous homicide. The mayor said Campbell was carrying a knife when he walked into the Walgreens, asking where the greeting card aisle was at. He attacked an armed security guard of the store, stole his gun, and waited for police to show up. Police suspect the gun that killed the Jersey City cop was the security guard’s weapon.

Fulop says in his statement:

“Today was a horrible day for Jersey City.”

He continues:

“It is a tragic situation when any officer is killed in the line of duty. Melvin was an officer who represented everything one would want to see in a police officer. I know the entire city’s thoughts and prayers are with the Santiago family during this difficult time and we mourn together.”

Melvin Santiago graduated from the police academy in December. When his mother identified her son’s body, Fulop says that she “just keep repeating the badge number and saying that it’s not possible.”

The report goes on to say Santiago is the first Jersey City officer killed while on police duty since Detective Marc DiNardo was killed in July 2009 during an apartment raid while searching for robbery suspects.

New York Times reports that Santiago was teased about being so serious about his work and was told he needed to “smile” more. Fulop shares the fact that Santiago was eager to serve on the city’s west side:

“By all accounts, he was enthusiastic, motivated and wanted to be in the west district. He was a true police officer.”

In early May, two Alaska troopers were killed in the line of duty and The Inquisitr reported on that. This one about a Jersey City cop killed by someone doing it just for the sake of it is a total shock to everyone.

[Image via FOX News]

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