Former NYPD Officer Acquitted Of Murdering Childhood Friend In Nassau

FARMINGDALE, NY — A Nassau County jury has acquitted a former New York City officer of murder in the shooting death of his childhood friend, officials said.

The jury ultimately convicted Errick Allen, 30, on a misdemeanor menacing charge for the death of 24-year-old Chris Curro, per the Associated Press and Newsday. Officials said Allen was off duty when he shot Curro, his friend from elementary school, in Farmingdale on May 12, 2020.

Allen, who was a rookie officer at the time, originally faced second-degree murder and manslaughter charges that the jury acquitted him of. He had been incarcerated since he was indicted in August of 2021, and was scheduled to be released Thursday as the menacing charge only carries a one-year prison sentence.

New York state Attorney General Letitia James’ office investigated the shooting, because it involved a law enforcement officer.

During the five week trial, prosecutors from James' office said that Allen shot Curro “execution style” in the head, neck, and arm after they had exchanged angry text messages, the AP reported.

Defense attorney Anthony La Pinta said Curro had attacked Allen and tried to grab his NYPD-issued Glock, with La Pinta calling the shooting a “classic case of self-defense,” according to Newsday.

Curro's mother Susanne, who lives in the Bronx, told Newsday she was angry and "very shocked" at the verdict.

“Chris had no weapons,” she said. “My son only used his words, he didn’t use his weapons and he didn’t use his hands.”

The two grew up on the same block and had been friends since they were students at Albany Avenue Elementary School in North Massapequa, the Newsday report added.