A former New York City police officer, Errick Allen, has been acquitted of murder in the shooting of his childhood friend, Christopher Curro, during a confrontation on Long Island. The incident took place on May 12, 2020, in North Massapequa.
Allen, who was off duty at the time of the shooting, was convicted by a jury of menacing but acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges. The New York state Attorney General Letitia James' office investigated the case due to Allen's involvement as a police officer.
According to prosecutors, Allen allegedly shot Curro multiple times, including in the head, neck, and arm, following a heated exchange of text messages. On the other hand, Allen's defense attorney, Anthony La Pinta, argued that Curro had attacked Allen and attempted to grab his NYPD-issued gun, leading to the shooting being deemed as an act of self-defense.
As the menacing charge carries a maximum prison sentence of one year, Allen, who had been in custody since his indictment in August 2021, was set to be released on Thursday evening.
Reacting to the verdict, Curro's mother expressed her anger and shock, stating that her son was unarmed during the confrontation and only used words, not weapons or physical force. On the other side, Allen's stepfather expressed hope for healing and peace for both families involved.
The attorney general's office declined to provide any comments on the case.
