Akai Gurley's Family to Receive $4.1 Million Settlement in Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The family of NYC police brutality victim Akai Gurley has reached a settlement in their wrongful death lawsuit against the city. 

Former NYPD officer Peter Liang, who fired the fatal shot that ultimately took Akai’s life, was indicted on several charges in 2015 including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and second-degree assault for the senseless killing. The city will reportedly cover the bulk of the multi-million dollar settlement payout, while Lang will pay $25,000 and the New York City Housing Authority will pay $400,000, according to the New York Times.  

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Akai Gurley was just 28 years old when he was fatally shot by former officer Liang in November of 2014 while walking down a dark stairwell in a Brooklyn apartment complex with his girlfriend. Officer Liang claimed he was “startled” by the couple and “accidentally” discharged his weapon, firing a singe shot that ricocheted off the wall and struck Akai in the chest. He was pronounced dead within minutes of the shooting.

Akai’s 3-year-old daughter Akaila will reportedly begin receiving the settlement funds when she turns 18, while the Gurley family’s legal team is also in the process of establishing a college fund for her and considering petitioning for a stipend provision that will allow her to begin receiving some of the settlement money before she turns 18.