An off-duty NYPD cop was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing a Long Island man, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday.
According to the AG’s office, 26-year-old Errick Allen, of North Massapequa, was charged with second-degree murder for his alleged role in the shooting death of 25-year-old Christopher Curro.
“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 Attorney General James. “My office is committed to ensuring justice is served and that no individual is above the law.”
According to charges, Allen and Curro were allegedly longtime, childhood acquaintances. Shortly after 8 p.m. on May 12, during an encounter on a residential street in Farmingdale, Allen allegedly shot Curro five times, including twice in the head, at close range with his NYPD service weapon, causing Curro’s death. Allen allegedly initially fled the scene but returned sometime later in the evening.
The AG’s office states that Allen, who is a New York City cop, was allegedly off-duty when Curro was shot to death. The Attorney General’s Office serves as a special prosecutor in matters relating to the death of unarmed civilians caused by law enforcement officers, pursuant to New York Executive Order 147.
The rookie officer who recently graduated from the police academy was assigned to the 109th Precinct in Queens. The NYPD said Allen is suspended without pay.
“It started over a conversation that they were having,” Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder told WCBS. “They grew up together, somehow got into a disagreement … and that’s when the weapon was produced.”
Allen is due to return to court on May 26. If convicted, Allen faces 25 years to life in prison.
Additional reporting by Tim Bolger. Updated at 4:55 p.m.
