February 2001 World Headlines

Friday, February 2, 2001 - Web posted at 10:16:31 AM GMT

Diallo's killers 'willnot be charged'

NEW YORK - Nearly two years after fatally shooting an unarmed African immigrant, four white police officers have learned they will not face federal prosecution.

The Justice Department announced on Wednesday it would not pursue civil rights charges against the New York City officers in the slaying of Amadou Diallo, 22, who was gunned down outside his Bronx apartment.

The officers were acquitted of murder in a state criminal trial last year.

The four officers, who say the shooting was a tragic error, have one last legal hurdle: the possibility of departmental charges.

The Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau is looking into possible violations of department guidelines, and the department's Firearms Discharge Review Board plans to review the case.

The officers were searching for a rape suspect when they stopped Diallo outside his home.

They fired 41 bullets at Diallo when he reached for his wallet" the officers said they believed he was going for a gun.

- Nampa-Sapa-AP

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