NEW YORK CITY — The family of the man who was killed by a former correction officer plans to file a civil suit against the shooter, after the Brooklyn District Attorney's office chose not to bring charges against him, the family's attorney said.
The mother of Gilbert Drogheo, who was shot and killed by Willie Groomes on March 10, is going to file a civil lawsuit against Groomes for negligent use of a firearm, according to attorney Mark Seitelman.
Seitelman added that the family has asked for a meeting with Brooklyn DA Kenneth Thompson in hopes of hearing him explain further why he decided not to bring charges.
A spokeswoman for the Brooklyn District Attorney said the office does not comment on internal meetings.
Drogheo, a 32-year-old electrician, was shot in the chest by Groomes inside Borough Hall Station after the two men got into an argument that escalated into a physical dispute, police said.
On Monday, almost two months after Drogheo's death, the Brooklyn DA announced he would not bring the case before a grand jury because after "a full and fair investigation ... I have determined that criminal charges are not warranted in this matter."
Groomes, who retired from the Department of Correction over twenty years ago, used his service weapon to shoot Drogheo, sources told DNAinfo. Drogheo, who had a 5-year-old daughter, died from the gunshot wound. The Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide.
Rodriguez told DNAinfo she was outraged by Thompson's decision.
"I watched a video of my son being shot and killed and they tell me there was not crime committed? There was no evidence? I watched my son die on a video. What evidence do they want?" the distressed mother told DNAinfo on Monday. "There's no justice."
Groomes' lawyer did not immediately return calls for comment.
