The former correction officer who shot and killed a man at a Brooklyn subway station earlier this year will not be charged, officials announced.
William Groomes shot and killed Gilbert Drogheo at the Borough Hall subway station on March 10. Groomes, 69, got into a confrontation with Drogheo, 23, and Joscelyn Evering, 28, aboard a 4 train. The Associated Press explained the incident back in March:
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.
According to the New York Daily News, Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson announced that, following an investigation, Groomes would not face charges:
Following a full and fair investigation…I have determined that criminal charges are not warranted in this matter. Based on interviews of multiple eyewitnesses to the events leading up to the shooting, our review of videotapes of the shooting itself and other evidence, I have decided not to put this case into the grand jury and will not bring criminal charges against Mr. Groomes.
While the death of this young man was indeed tragic, we cannot prove any charge of homicide beyond a reasonable doubt.
Drogheo's girlfriend, Elizabeth Arroyo, told Gawker that Thompson's decision was shocking: "We’re just so devastated right now. For Ken Thompson to say that he doesn’t think a crime was committed—[Groomes] killed him. We really, really didn’t expect this outcome."
[via New York Daily News, Associated Press and Gawker]
