Shoshana Walter/The Bay Citizen

Raul Maya, who fought off a robber in his store, holds up a sign he made for an anti-violence rally in Fruitvale. "No more violence in Oakland," it says.

As he had during so many other attacks, Campos stayed calm. He didn’t shriek. He didn’t shake. One of the assailants stood watch, while the other followed Campos inside the restaurant. Then Campos knocked the gun out of the man’s hand, they scuffled, and the would-be robbers fled.

Many believe that scenario, detailed by a police officer who responded to the call seven years ago, was repeated last Friday, when Campos, by all accounts a “fighter” and a pillar of the community, was fatally shot while opening the back door of Otaez for business about 5:30 a.m., as he had every day for more than 25 years.

“He always told me, ‘They’re not gonna take nothing from me,’” said the officer, who asked not to be named because the case remains under investigation. “I don’t think they got the money this time, either.”

Campos' death has highlighted the divergent views of residents, merchants and officials on how best to respond to the district's crime problem.

The attack has sparked outrage in Fruitvale, prompting an unprecedented unity among merchants, including the usually divided populations of native-born English speakers and foreign-born Spanish speakers, who plan to bring their public safety demands to City Hall.

While some remain as spirited as Campos, prepared to guard their stores against attacks, others say it’s time for police to step up. The unspoken lesson they’ve gleaned from Campos’ death is that those who fight back seldom win.

“I think he would still be here if he didn’t fight,” said Gracie Manzo, a friend and a manager at Smart and Final, also on International Boulevard. “Because of this. This is what happens.”

Police could not provide statistics on the number of robberies at Campos’ restaurant, but according to officer recollections, in the past decade, attackers attempted to rob Campos’ business at least four times. Each time, Campos fought off the assailants and succeeded in protecting his money — except once.

“After he was robbed seven or eight years ago, he immediately put up bulletproof glass that you see in the restaurant now,” said Jose Dorado, who runs a tax services business. “He was very clearly not gonna take being attacked.”

Friends said Campos' restaurant was a target for robberies because of his regular schedule, his prosperity and the check-cashing business he ran inside. Police data shows most of the robberies in the Fruitvale occur around check-cashing businesses.

Campos' check-cashing booth was in the middle of the restaurant, which police said allowed customers with malicious intentions to easily monitor business while also enjoying a meal.