A shooting the NYPD has deemed as accidental has residents in Brooklyn's East New York neighborhood and activists across the city up in arms.

Akai Gurley, 28, was shot in the chest by rookie Officer Peter Liang in a dark hallway of the Pink Houses complex late Thursday night. Gurley was pronounced dead on arrival at Brookdale Hospital.

Gurley's girlfriend says he was innocently waiting for the elevator when he was shot.

The incident has elicited strong words from local activists, especially over how the NYPD patrols public housing complexes.

NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton says officers usually patrol the complexes by going down the stairs from the roof, areas that tend to be hot spots for crime.

The New York City Housing Authority issued a statement on the shooting, saying, "As Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Bratton have stated, this is a tragic accident in which a life was lost. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes. NYCHA will continue to work with the NYPD and our residents to make our properties as safe as possible."

Police say they have also been working to give rookie officers more training and time with senior officers.