Akai Gurley death: NYPD Officer Peter Liang charged over fatal shooting of unarmed black man

NYPD Officer Peter Liang has been charged over the fatal shooting of Akai Gurley in a block of flats in New York City, according to a lawyer in the case.

Scott Rynecki told the Associated Press that Officer Peter Liang had been charged by a grand jury in the death of the unarmed black man.

When grand juries declined to charge officers over the deaths of other black men, there were nationwide protests.

After Akai Gurley’s death in November, police said it was an accident.

Scott Rynecki is the lawyer for Akai Gurley’s partner.

She and Akai Gurley opened the door into the dark stairwell when the police officer was patrolling the flats on November 20.

Police say Peter Liang fired without a word and apparently by accident.

Unnamed officials involved in the case told media on February 10 there would be charges but it is not clear what they will be.