NYPD rookie cop indicted in shooting of unarmed man

NEW YORK - Peter Liang, a rookie cop who fatally shot a Brooklyn man in dark housing project hallway in November has been indicted, CBS New York reports.

Liang is expected to be arraigned in Brooklyn State Supreme Court Wednesday afternoon.

A grand jury started hearing the case on Feb. 4.

Liang's gun fired while he was on patrol in the stairways of the Pink Houses in East New York on Nov. 20, 2014. The bullet hit Akai Gurley, 28, as he came down the stairs.

Police said Liang, patrolling with his gun drawn, fired apparently by accident, striking Gurley in the torso from a distance of about 10 feet.

Gurley was then taken to Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

After the shooting, New York Police Commissioner William Bratton said the officer appeared to have fired accidentally when he tried to open a door with the gun in his hand.

Liang was placed on modified duty and the medical examiner ruled Gurley's death a homicide.

Meanwhile, Gurley's family announced plans in January to sue the City of New York for $50 million, claiming the officer acted recklessly.