Anthony Powell met D’Andre Campbell in middle school.

“He was a bright young kid,” Powell remembers. “That kid who always had his hand up in class, no matter what the teacher’s question was.”

The two became best friends. When Powell learned that Campbell, 26, was shot and killed by police Monday night, he was shocked.

“It just seems so senseless,” Powell told the Star on Tuesday. “He was a good kid, wasn’t known to be a violent person. I know he didn’t deserve this.”

Peel Region police said officers were called to a home in Brampton’s west end just after 5:20 p.m. Monday with reports of a domestic incident.

Soon after entering the home and going into the kitchen, officers encountered Campbell.

In the midst of an altercation, two officers used Tasers and then one officer “discharged his firearm multiple times,” according to a Special Investigations Unit news release.

In a news release Monday, the SIU said it has launched an investigation into the shooting.

Campbell died from his injuries in the residence.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Powell. “He was my best friend, through thick and thin, in our teenage years.”

Powell says Campbell struggled with mental illness in the final years of his life.

“I knew he was struggling, but I knew that wasn’t who he really was. He knew that, too. He knew he needed help.”

According to Powell, Campbell was the one who called the police to the home Monday.

“It’s unbelievable what took place yesterday,” Powell wrote. “I would like the world to know that he didn’t always have a mental condition. That’s not who he was … it’s not okay to resort to violence when dealing with such individuals.”

On Wednesday afternoon, the SIU issued an updated statement, saying that investigators have recovered a knife, two “conducted energy weapons” and firearm-related evidence.

One subject officer and four witness officers have been designated. An autopsy was conducted Wednesday morning in Toronto.

The SIU also has the subject officer’s firearm.

“Interviews with civilian witnesses and police witnesses have taken place and are ongoing,” the statement read.

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The SIU is an arm’s-length agency that investigates incidents involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.

On Thursday, Campbell's family set up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral costs and financial support. As of Monday afternoon, the fundraiser had raised $8,382 of its $26,000 goal.

Correction - April 13, 2020: An earlier version of this story included incorrect information about a GoFundMe page for D'Andre Campbell's family.

Jacob Lorinc is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @jacoblorinc

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