NEW YORK — Saturday was a celebration of life for Akai Gurley, who was shot and killed by a New York City police officer ten years ago.
In 2014, Gurley found himself in a dark stairwell at NYCHA’s Pink Houses in Brooklyn while rookie officer Peter Liang was on patrol. Police sources report this to CBS News New York Liang’s gun accidentally went off when he fired into the stairwell. The bullet ricocheted, hitting Gurley and killing him. The 28 year old father was unarmed.
Liang was found guilty of manslaughter and fired from the NYPDbut a judge later reduced his conviction to negligent homicide before being sentenced to five years of probation and 800 hours of community service.
Gurley’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city And reached a settlement of more than $4 million.
Akai Gurley is being honored 10 years after the deadly NYPD shooting
Gurley was remembered Saturday during a celebration of life in East New York.
“Thanksgiving, birthdays, Mother’s Day, he missed 10 years,” said Gurley’s aunt, Hertencia Petersen.
Gurley’s aunt was joined by other families still fighting for justice, many of whom suffered the loss of a family member killed by police.
“One thing we’ve learned with this family is that we all grieve for each other,” Petersen said.
His death caused outrage across the country.
“Another black man was senselessly shot,” Petersen said.
Gurley’s aunt says the past decade has been a struggle, but she will continue to fight for justice so everyone remembers her cousin’s name.
Petersen says the family is grateful for all the community support over the past decade.
