The retired correction officer who shot and killed an unarmed man in a Brooklyn subway on Tuesday evening has yet to be charged, officials say.
The incident occurred Tuesday evening as 69-year-old William Groomes got into a confrontation with Gilbert Drogheo, 23, at the Borough Hall subway station. According to the Associated Press, Groomes aggravated Drogheo and his 28-year-old co-worker, Joscelyn Evering, by stepping between them as he boarded a 4 train. The Associated Press reports that this precipitated the fatal confrontation:
All three men exited the train at the next stop in Brooklyn, where there was a second confrontation on the station's mezzanine level, police said. The retired officer tussled with Drogheo before pulling his weapon and firing one round, which struck the victim in the chest, they said.
Drogheo died at Brooklyn Hospital Center, while Evering was taken into custody by police. Yesterday, they announced that he had been charged with assault and menacing.
CBS New York reports that Groomes was released after being questioned yesterday, but might be questioned again. Authorities say he had a permit to carry the weapon, and a grand jury was still weighing charges:
Under New York City law, retired law enforcement officers with permits to carry guns must retreat unless they are facing deadly physical force, Cornell reported.
[via Associated Press and CBS New York]
