Community organizers held a candlelit vigil Saturday for the unarmed man shot and killed Thursday by an NYPD officer in East New York.

Police officials say two rookie officers were patrolling in a dimly lit stairwell in the Pink Houses on Linden Boulevard when officer Peter Liang accidentally shot Akai Gurley, 28, once in the chest.

Details on why the officer drew his weapon and fired have not been reported.

"They say that he accidentally discharged his weapon," State Assemblyman-elect Charles Barron said. "He did not accidentally discharge his weapon. That is a lie. We believe he intentionally discharged his weapon because he's inexperienced and he was frightened. Over what? We don't know."

The organization North Americans Against a Police State, which organized the vigil, called the shooting "senseless."

Gurley's family was joined by the Rev. Al Sharpton and public officials at a rally to push for a full investigation into the shooting, and also call for changes to police training and procedures. Sharpton says Gurley's killing raises questions about how the NYPD patrols public housing and assigns rookie officers to those patrols.

Gurley's family did not speak at the rally. His stepfather, Kenneth Palmer, has called him "a peacemaker."

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton says Liang has been placed on modified duty, and that his gun and badge have been removed.