Officer who fatally shot man in Canarsie will not face criminal charges

The family of a man who was shot by police in his home say the Brooklyn district attorney told them the city will not be pursuing criminal charges against the officer involved.

News 12 Staff

Feb 5, 2020, 1:39 AM

Updated 1,904 days ago

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The family of a man who was shot by police in his home say the Brooklyn district attorney told them the city will not be pursuing criminal charges against the officer involved.
The family of James Owens is still looking for action to be taken three years after his death.
News 12 is told that around 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2017, police responded to a call for a nonviolent, emotionally-disturbed person inside a Canarsie home. When they got there, police say Owens charged at them with a 13-inch kitchen knife.
Police then say one officer tried to use a stun gun on Owens, but it didn't work. Another officer, later identified as Patrick Gourlay, fired his gun. The 63-year-old was pronounced dead that night.
Over three years later, the district attorney met with the Owens family to say they will not press criminal charges.
Owens' family says the investigation was not thorough enough.
Police say that Gourlay is currently full-duty, patrolling in Brooklyn South.