NYPD Officer Who Killed Unarmed Ramarley Graham Has Quit: Police

NEW YORK, NY — The white police officer who shot and killed Ramarley Graham, an unarmed black man, has resigned after an NYPD department trial commissioner recommended he be fired, the NYPD said on Sunday.

Richard Haste resigned from the department on Sunday, police said in a statement. Haste decided to quit after learning that the department's trial commissioner "found him guilty on all counts and recommended his employment be terminated," according to a statement from the NYPD. Haste was recommended for termination in a department disciplinary trial, and NYPD commissioner James O’Neill agreed with the decision to fire Haste, the NYPD said.

Haste shot and killed Graham, an unarmed 18-year-old, in 2012. Haste was indicted for manslaughter, but the charges were ultimately thrown out due to a prosecutorial error. A second jury declined to indict the officer, and federal officials also declined to bring civil rights charges.

The teenager was killed after Haste and another officer saw him walking down a street in the Bronx and decided to follow Graham into his building, according to the police account. The officers forced their way into his apartment and Haste opened fire when he said he thought he saw Graham reaching for a gun. Graham was unarmed.

This story has been updated with additional information.