NYPD rookie officer acquitted of murder in shooting death of childhood friend amid text message dispute

NORTH MASSAPEQUA, LONG ISLAND: On Thursday, March 28, a former rookie NYPD officer was acquitted of murder charges related to the 2020 shooting death of his childhood friend.

During the incident on May 12, 2020, Allen fatally shot his friend in what was described as an execution-style manner, firing five shots into his head, neck, and arm.

As reported by DailyMail, the shooting took place after a heated exchange of text messages between the two individuals.

Allegedly, the victim, Christopher Curro, attempted to seize Allen's NYPD-issued firearm, leading Allen to assert that he acted in self-defense.

What happened between Errick Allen and Christopher Curro?

Errick Allen and Christopher Curro grew up on the same block in North Massapequa, Long Island, and had been friends since their days at Albany Avenue Elementary School.

During the trial, the jury learned that Curro's parents were dismayed by his marijuana consumption and his lack of attendance at school or commitment to work extended hours in his role as a pizza delivery person. Consequently, they expelled him from their residence in November 2019.

This situation led Curro to desire to sever ties with his family. However, the family continued to keep in touch with Allen regularly due to concerns about Curro's mental health, particularly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, the friends engaged in a heated argument over this dynamic. Curro became upset when he learned that Allen had been sharing his text messages with his family, as per trial testimony.

Text messages presented during the trial depicted the two friends exchanging furious insults, ultimately leading them to arrange a meeting on Langdon Road.

Allen then shot Curro in what Allen's attorney claimed was an execution-style manner, purportedly triggered by Curro's attempt to steal the NYPD-issued Glock firearm from the police.

Following the murder, Allen had been incarcerated since his indictment in August 2021. Due to the maximum sentence for the menacing conviction being one year, he was released on Thursday after serving his time. 

Allen had only completed seven months in the NYPD when the shooting occurred. 

Initially arrested in May 2020, he was granted bail but was later indicted by a grand jury in August 2021 on charges including murder, manslaughter, and menacing. 

Despite being initially released on bail, restrictions on his movement and living arrangements were imposed after a "mental breakdown" and suicide attempt in November 2020.

How did Christopher Curro’s family react?

After the verdict, Christopher Curro's family expressed their shock and dismay as they saw the former cop acquitted. 

Curro's mother conveyed her anger and surprise at the verdict, emphasizing that her son was unarmed when he was fatally shot. "Chris had no weapons," she stated to Newsday. "My son only used his words; he didn't use his weapons and he didn't use his hands." 

She expressed her dissatisfaction with the jury's decision, labeling it as very unfair. 

Curro's niece, Rosa Maiorino, criticized the system, lamenting, "the system failed us," and expressing frustration that Errick gets to go home while her uncle is deceased. 

Allen's release from custody prompted his stepfather, Kyle Savas, to comment, "This has rocked my family and I also understand that a life was lost here. I hope everyone can begin healing. I hope the Curro family can find peace."