NYPD cop who gunned down ‘best friend’ on Long Island to be freed on bond

The rookie NYPD cop accused of murdering his best friend in Nassau County earlier this month will be released on bond after his lawyer told a judge that he was attacked before opening fire, a report said Wednesday.

The defense attorney for officer Errick Allen, 27, said investigators collected evidence that purportedly shows victim Christopher Curro, 25, had slammed the cop’s head into the ground in a scuffle before the shooting, Newsday reported.

The attorney, Anthony LaPinta, said detectives had taken some 40 photographs that show injuries Allen suffered the night of the May 12 shooting in Farmingdale, according to the report.

The photos show Allen suffered injuries to his head, neck and face that were “consistent with a recent struggle, an altercation that happened,” LaPinta said, according to the report.

Allen is accused of shooting Curro five times, including several times in the head and neck, during the fatal gun play, which happened soon before 8 p.m.

LaPinta also pointed to a Post story that included an audio recording of the shots — showing they happened in rapid succession — as evidence the cop fired in self defense.

Prosecutor Joshua Gradinger said he believed the defense mischaracterized the audio recording and was “mystified” as to why he brought it up, the newspaper reported.

The judge, Acting Supreme Court Justice Robert Schwartz, said the defense’s argument was compelling and agreed to set bond instead of keeping Allen in custody, according to Newsday.

After the bond conditions were set, LaPinta said the cop would likely meet them and be released. A spokesperson for the Nassau County Jail said he had not been released as of Wednesday afternoon.

Gradinger fervently objected to Allen being cut loose on bond and argued the slaying was “an exceptionally brutal, personal, intimate killing,” according to the report.

He argued the victim was shot at close range and the cop did not attempt to give him first aid after opening fire.

In a statement, an attorney for the Curro family said they are confident Allen will ultimately face justice

“The family was very disappointed to learn of the judge’s decision but they have the utmost confidence in the process and look forward to the day when Mr. Allen must face trial for his heinous act,” Michaelangelo Matera said.