The family of a Brooklyn man shot and killed by police in November took the first step toward suing the city Thursday.
Akai Gurley's domestic partner, Kimberly Ballinger, filed a $50 million notice of claim accusing the city of negligence and recklessness in Gurley's death.
The family's lawyer said they will hold the city and police department accountable for what he calls a senseless shooting.
Gurley was shot to death in a dark stairwell at the Pink Houses in East New York on November 20.
"Life has become very hard for me and my daughters. Akaila, my 2-year-old, and also Kamaya, my 5-year-old, ask me every day, 'Can we go to Heaven and get Akai? Can we bring him home?' That's very devastating," Ballinger said. "The shooting death of Akai by the police was reckless and should not have happened. Akai was a great father and a good person who didn't deserve to die the way he did. We miss him, and we will keep fighting for justice and change in New York City."
Investigators say rookie officer Peter Liang was holding his gun in the same hand he was using to open a door when the gun went off, hitting Gurley, who was unarmed.
The New York City Police Department calls the shooting an accident.
Gurley's family says the claim also names the city Housing Authority, accusing the agency of negligence in not fixing the lights in the stairwell where he was shot.