BOSTON, May 23, 2016—A man who allegedly attempted to take control of a Boston Police officer’s service weapon while begging police to shoot him has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

ARTHUR CAMPBELL (D.O.B. 6/20/80) was arraigned today in Boston Municipal Court on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, attempted larceny, and trespassing.  Prosecutors requested bail of $50,000 and that Campbell’s bail be revoked on an open case out of the same court charging assault with a dangerous weapon and trespassing.  Judge Catherine Byrne ordered Campbell held without bail for a period of 20 days and ordered that he undergo a mental health evaluation.  Byrne declined to revoke bail on the open case.

According to prosecutors, Campbell entered a parking lot at the Area D-4 police station on Harrison Avenue marked with “no trespassing” signs, where he approached an officer inside his cruiser at approximately 2:15 p.m. Friday.  Campbell allegedly asked the officer to do him a favor, and when asked what the officer could do for him, responded, “Shoot me, kill me, I want to die,” prosecutors told the court.

The officer called for assistance and began to exit his cruiser.  Campbell initially refused to show his hands, then allegedly rushed at the officer, punching him in the abdomen.  Campbell grabbed the officer’s firearm and attempted to pull it from the holster; the officer, however, was able to maintain control over the weapon.  During a struggle with police, Campbell allegedly continued to repeat suicidal statements.

Campbell was taken into custody, booked, and transported to Boston Medical Center for evaluation.

After recovering Campbell’s cell phone from the parking lot, officers observed an incoming call on the phone.  They were able to speak with the caller and learned that Campbell had contacted her earlier in the day and allegedly made suicidal statements similar to those he made to police.

Campbell is represented by Meagan Burton.  He returns to court next month.

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All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt