Memorial commemorates killing of Akai Gurley by police

November 26, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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EAST NEW YORK — TEN YEARS AGO last Saturday, on Nov. 20, 2014, Akai Gurley was struck by a bullet that ricocheted off the walls of a stairwell in the Louis H. Pink Houses, killing him. In memorial of his legacy as a father, Brooklynite and community member, family, friends and supporters gathered to mourn, support and comfort one another over the weekend, reports News 12.

The bullet was fired by Officer Peter Liang, a policeman with 18 months experience at the time of the incident. Originally convicted by a jury of manslaughter, Liang’s conviction was later reduced to criminally negligent homicide by a judge, who sentenced him to community service and probation.

“Five years’ probation, and 800 hours of community service, that’s what my nephew’s life was worth in the eyes of the law,” said Hertencia Peterson, Gurley’s aunt, at the event, according to News 12 Brooklyn.

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