November 20 marks one year since the police shooting death of Akai Gurley. Family members, community leaders and supporters marched in his name on Friday to bring continued awareness about police brutality.
Gurley, who was unarmed, was fatally shot in the Pink Houses public housing complex in Brooklyn in 2014 by NYPD Officer Peter Liang. The officer and his partner, Shaun Landau, were patrolling a dark stairwell when they encountered Gurley.
On the force for only two years, Liang claimed his unholstered gun went off by accident killing Gurley. The officers waited at least 20 minutes before radioing superiors about the shooting.
Liang pleaded not guilty earlier this year on several charges including second-degree manslaughter. He was released without bail and is scheduled to go on trial in January. Gurley’s family filed a civil suit this past May.
Friday’s march took place in front of Pink Houses in Brooklyn.