In November 2014, Akai Gurley was visiting his girlfriend and their two-year-old daughter in the Louis H. Pink Houses in East New York, Brooklyn. The unarmed man entered the unlit seventh-floor stairwell at the same time two rookie officers—Peter Liang and Shaun Landau—were conducting routine vertical patrols (a.k.a. patrolling a public housing complex from the roof to the ground floor, stopping on each floor to see if any crime is in progress). According to prosecutors, Liang, who is left-handed, pulled out his flashlight with his right hand and unholstered his 9mm Glock with his left. He then shoved open the stairwell door with his right shoulder and turned left to face the landing, where Gurley had just entered. After being startled, Liang’s gun discharged as he opened the door and the bullet ricocheted off the wall, striking Gurley once in the chest. The 28-year-old died within minutes, with Landau testifying later at trial that neither officer tried to revive Mr. Gurley, as “they did not feel qualified to perform CPR.”
New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton notably declared the shooting to be an accident, saying Gurley was a “total innocent.” Months later on February 10, 2015, Liang was indicted by a grand jury on manslaughter, assault and other criminal charges. He turned himself into authorities the next day to be arraigned on the charges. Liang was found guilty of manslaughter and official misconduct on February 11, 2016. Brooklyn district attorney, Ken Thompson, announced yesterday [Wednesday, March 23] he is not seeking prison time for Liang, per sentencing recommendations submitted to the State Supreme Court.
Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson’s Statement Regarding the Upcoming Sentencing of Peter Liang: pic.twitter.com/9CDNPTggVF
— Ken Thompson (@BrooklynDA) March 23, 2016
“We are outraged at District Attorney Thompson’s inadequate sentencing recommendation,” Gurley’s mother, aunt and stepfather expressed in a follow-up statement, according to the New York Daily News. “Officer Liang was convicted of manslaughter and should serve time in prison for his crime. “This sentencing recommendation sends the message that police officers who kill people should not face serious consequences,” the family’s statement continued. On Wednesday afternoon when Thompson released his official statement on social media, the reaction from Brooklyn residents was immediate.
@BrooklynDA Whether he’s a ‘danger to the community’ or will repeat the crime is irreverent. Prison is for people who commit crimes.
— Lia Harley (@Lia_8Harley) March 23, 2016
@BrooklynDA the Black voters of Brooklyn has given you their support, and for you to contribute to the legal lynchings of Blks is shameful
— Tariq Nasheed (@tariqnasheed) March 23, 2016
.@BrooklynDA and God forgive me, but I hope and pray next time, it is YOUR loved one who is a police officer’s “accident”.
— Doc Ock (@OckyJ83) March 24, 2016
@BrooklynDA vote him out Brooklyn! Chicago and Cleveland ring any bells? This “DA” should be ashamed of himself.
— fancymistee (@MJP_1908) March 23, 2016
“There is no evidence that the defendant intended to kill or even injure Mr. Gurley,” Thompson wrote in the sentencing letter. “There are no winners here.”
