In the evening rush of March 10, 2015, a commute on a Brooklyn-bound 4 train took a fatal turn, ending the life of 32-year-old Gilbert Drogheo. The male electrician's apprentice and father found himself in a verbal dispute with 69-year-old retired correction officer William Groomes. The nature of what started the argument remains contested, with some witnesses claiming Drogheo and his friend, Joscelyn Evering, were harassing other passengers, while others stated Groomes initiated the conflict.
The verbal sparring quickly escalated into a physical confrontation.
The altercation spilled out of the subway car and onto the mezzanine of the Borough Hall station. It was there that the struggle between Drogheo and Groomes reached its tragic conclusion. Groomes, who was licensed to carry a concealed weapon, drew his firearm and shot Drogheo once in the chest. The single gunshot sent commuters scattering in panic. Drogheo was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The medical examiner later ruled his death a homicide.
In the immediate aftermath, Groomes was taken into custody but was later released without any charges being filed against him. However, Joscelyn Evering, who was 28 at the time, was arrested and charged with assault and menacing for his role in the initial confrontation on the train. The decision not to charge Groomes was met with outrage and dismay from Drogheo's family. The Brooklyn District Attorney's office announced that after a thorough investigation, which included reviewing witness interviews and video footage, they had determined there was not enough evidence to prove a criminal act beyond a reasonable doubt. Despite the family's pleas and their intention to file a civil lawsuit, the official stance remained that criminal charges were not warranted in the death of Gilbert Drogheo.
