Kyle Lawson
Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — An NYPD officer pleaded not guilty Thursday in connection with an alleged murder more than a week ago on Long Island.
The New York Attorney General’s Office has charged NYPD rookie officer Errick Allen, 26, of North Massapequa, with second-degree murder in connection with the May 12 incident.
Allen was off-duty when he allegedly shot Christopher Curro, 25, of West Babylon. Prosecutors said Curro was unarmed when Allen shot him five times with his service weapon, fled the scene and failed to call 911, according to a Newsday report.
The defendant and victim reportedly were friends.
“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 state Attorney General Letitia James in a written statement.
Prosecutors did not present a motive, but said Allen apparently returned to the scene about 30 minutes after the fact and admitted to officers he shot his friend.
A Nassau District Court judge ordered Allen be held without bail.
The officer was suspended without pay for 30 days after the shooting, NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan said.