Man killed before London, Ont., standoff remembered for his 'unwavering kind heart'

Joel Cameron's friends say they want him to be remembered as someone who was "a best friend to everyone."

Cameron, 41, was found unresponsive with serious injuries at 621 Kipps Lane when emergency crews arrived at around 5 a.m. Saturday. He was pronounced dead a short time later, London police said.

Two officers were shot and injured during a standoff that lasted 15 hours.

"I'm still in shock," said Jocelyn Kiser, a friend of Cameron's from high school who said she found out about his death through a Facebook message from a mutual friend. 

"It's really sad, he was so well loved. He didn't have a single enemy growing up. If you ever needed someone, Joel would always be there for you, it's a real shame." 

Cameron's death has sent shock waves through their friend group, Kiser said. Cameron had a son and worked as a plumber, friends said.

Kiser said Cameron also struggled with his mental health and addiction, but successfully sought support through rehab. 

"He tried his best to raise his son and never gave up his fight," she said. "He really tried hard for a positive healthy life."

After Cameron was found unresponsive by police, another man locked himself in a sixth-floor unit of the apartment building. Police said he was armed.

During the standoff, heavily armed tactical officers negotiated with him; two officers were seriously injured and the man was arrested a short time later, around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. 

Police have since charged Adrian Neil Campbell, 42, with second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. His next scheduled court appearance is March 20. 

Victim and suspect known to each other

Cameron and Campbell knew each other from their time at Saunders Secondary School, friends said. 

Kiser said the friends group was also concerned for Campbell's well-being after seeing some of his erratic Facebook posts, and said they tried to get him mental-health support. 

"There was clearly something going on and it was obvious he had mental health challenges," said Wendy Mallow, who lives on the same floor as Campbell. 

Mallow and several neighbours complained to building management, Medallion Corporation, on numerous occasions about the man who was arrested, but there wasn't much of a response, she told CBC News. 

"I think they could've gotten him help sooner, it's not just us, there's been hundreds of complaints," she said. 

Cameron enjoyed punk music and loved to play the drums, his friend Nathan Lamieux said. 

"Joel was always trying to make people laugh and be the comedian of the group. He made himself at home wherever he went which in turn made everyone else very comfortable. What I will remember most is his unwavering kind heart."

Cameron is survived by his 21-year-old son, an older brother and his parents.