Rookie NYPD cop, 30, who shot dead his childhood best friend 'execution-style' after bickering over text messages is ACQUITTED of murder and released from jail

A former rookie NYPD officer has been acquitted of murder in the 2020 shooting death of his childhood friend during a heated argument.

Errick Allen, 30, was set free on Thursday after a jury only found him guilty of menacing during the shooting of his friend Christopher Curro, 25. 

Allen was off-duty when he opened fire on Curro in Long Island, and prosecutors argued that he killed his elementary school friend 'execution style' by shooting him five times in the head, neck and arm. 

However, his defense successfully countered that Curro had provoked Allen and tried to grab his NYPD-issued gun during a confrontation, branding the shooting a 'classic case of self-defense.'

Former rookie NYPD officer Errick Allen was acquitted of murder on Thursday over the 2020 shooting death of his childhood friend 

Christopher Curro was 25-years-old when he was shot to death, which was said to have been triggered by a heated argument with Allen 

Allen had faced 25 years behind bars as he stood trial for over five weeks, before the jury acquitted him Thursday of both manslaughter and murder charges.  

Because the shooting involved a police officer, it was prosecuted by New York Attorney General Letitia James' office, which produced evidence that the two men had been texting each other in a furious argument before the shooting.

The two men had grown up on the same block in North Massapequa, Long Island, and had been friends since they attended Albany Avenue Elementary School as kids. 

At trial, the jury heard that Curro's parents were frustrated over his use of marijuana while not attending school or working long hours in his job as a pizza deliveryman, and kicked him out of their home in November 2019, Newsday reported. 

This led him to want to cut ties with his family, however the family stayed in contact with Allen regularly as they were concerned about Curro's mental health, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic began. 

However, the friends got into a heated argument over this dynamic as Curro became upset that Allen had been sharing his text messages with his family, according to testimony at trial. 

Text messages shown at trial showed the two friends had furiously insulted each other, leading them to arrange to meet on Langdon Road. 

According to prosecutors, Allen then shot Curro execution-style twice in the head, twice in the neck and once in the arm, which Allen's attorney claimed was triggered by Curro trying to steal the cop's NYPD-issued Glock firearm. 

Allen being walked to court by authorities after his May 2020 arrest

At trial, it was heard that Curro (pictured) had argued with Allen after his parents kicked him out over his excessive marijuana habit, and was upset that Allen stayed in contact with them

Curro's family said they were angry and 'very surprised' by the verdict, and fumed that 'it is very unfair what (the jury) did' 

Allen had been locked up since his indictment in August 2021, and because the menacing conviction only carries a maximum sentence of one year, he was released Thursday on time served. 

Allen had served just seven months in the NYPD when the shooting unfolded. He was initially arrested in May 2020, and was out on bail before being indicted by a grand jury in August 2021 on charges of murder, manslaughter and menacing. 

Although he had initially been out on bail, he was hit with restrictions on his movement and living situation after a 'mental breakdown' and suicide attempt in November 2020. 

Following the verdict, Curro's family were seen holding their heads in their hands as they were shocked by the former cop's acquittal. 

Curro's mother said she was angry and 'very surprised' by the verdict, and stressed that her son was unarmed when he was shot dead. 

'Chris had no weapons,' she told Newsday. 'My son only used his words, he didn't use his weapons and he didn't use his hands.

'This is very unfair what they (the jury) did,' she said.

Curro's niece Rosa Maiorino fumed that 'the system failed us, saying that 'Errick gets to go home and have Easter,' before Curro's mother interjected: 'And my son is dead.' 

As Allen was released from custody, his stepfather Kyle Savas said: '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.'