NYPD rookie officer charged with murder in off-duty shooting on Long Island
FARMINGDALE, Nassau County (WABC) -- The New York state attorney general has announced the arrest of an NYPD off-duty officer involved in the fatal shooting of a Long Island man.
Officer Errick Allen, 26, of North Massapequa, is charged of second degree murder.
Prosecutors said Allen is said to have allegedly fired five bullets into 25-year-old Christopher Curro's body, including two into his head, one at an exceptionally close range and one into his neck during an encounter on a residential street in Farmingdale May 12 shortly after 8 p.m.
Despite the fact that he was a police officer, officials said Allen didn't stay at the scene and didn't call 911, but returned some time later in the evening.
Officials said Curro was completely unarmed at the time of the killing.
"The defendant shot an unarmed man at close range and he immediately fled the scene," prosecutors said. "This is essentially as serious as it gets."
Detectives were told he was attempting to break up a fight between friends when he became involved in a struggle, and shots were fired.
"As a result of that discharge, an individual was struck in the head and killed," Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said.
Allen was arraigned Thursday and held on $250,000 cash bail or $500,000.
Allen is due back in court on May 26, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
"We trust our police officers to protect the safety of New Yorkers, but instead, this individual allegedly betrayed that duty to end another man's life," said New York Attorney General Letitia James. "My office is committed to ensuring justice is served and that no individual is above the law."
Allen is a rookie who recently graduated from the Police Academy. He had been assigned to the 109th Precinct in Queens.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said the suspect and victim were childhood friends and grew up together.
"They lived near each other in Farmingdale," he said. "I will tell you they were friendly, they did know each other. They somehow got into a disagreement last night, and that's when the weapon was produced."
The NYPD has also suspended Allen without pay for 30 days.
----------
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
*tly after 8 p.m.
