Akai Gurley's Family Files Wrongful Death Claim Against New York City

Gurley was shot and killed by the NYPD in November.

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Five months after Akai Gurley was shot and killed by an NYPD officer in the stairwell of a Brooklyn housing project, his family has filed a lawful death claim against the city. 

The New York Times reports that Gurley's family filed the lawsuit at Brooklyn Supreme Court yesterday: 


The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in Brooklyn Supreme Court, names the police officer, Peter Liang; the officer’s partner at the time, Shaun Landau; the New York City Housing Authority, which runs the public housing system; and the New York Police Department, along with the city.

On November 20, the 28-year-old Gurley was fatally shot by Probationary Officer Peter Liang inside of East New York's Pink Houses. Liang and his partner were in the process of inspecting the area when Gurley entered the stairwell with his girlfriend. Liang accidentally discharged his service weapon, striking Gurley in the chest. Liang was indicted on charges including negligent homicide and second-degree manslaughter in February; he's since pleaded not guilty.

According to the Times, the complaint accuses Liang of negligence, and alleges that the New York City Housing Authority's failure to light the stairwell properly facilitated a dangerous atmosphere. New York City Law Department Spokesman Nicholas Paolucci said the city will examine the lawsuit. 

[via New York Times]

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