Prayer vigil held for man fatally shot by police

The East New York community came together Saturday to pray and mourn the loss of a man shot and killed by a police officer. Family and friends of Akai Gurley gathered at the Pink Houses, where the

News 12 Staff

Nov 30, 2014, 4:32 AM

Updated 3,656 days ago

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The East New York community came together Saturday to pray and mourn the loss of a man shot and killed by a police officer.
Family and friends of Akai Gurley gathered at the Pink Houses, where the fatal incident took place. Gurley's girlfriend, daughter and sister were joined by residents and others outraged by the death they call senseless and without cause.
Mourners stood by a memorial set up shortly after the 28-year-old was fatally shot by a rookie officer after midnight on Nov. 20.
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton has personally apologized to the family. The officer responsible was moved to modified duty and stripped of his gun and badge as the Brooklyn DA decides whether or not to press charges.
Many residents say those actions are not enough, and that the relationship between the police and the black community has to change. One man told News 12 Brooklyn that cops "have to stop treating every black man as a suspect."
Another part of the problem, residents say, involves NYCHA. Neighbors at the Pink Houses say lights have been off for months. The shooting took place in a dark stairwell.