The New York City police officer accused in the killing of unarmed African American Akai Gurley has been indicted. Gurley was in the dimly lit stairwell of a Brooklyn housing project when Officer Peter Liang opened fire. On Wednesday, Liang was arraigned on charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault and official misconduct. Liang reportedly did not call for help or respond to police radio contact for several minutes after shooting Gurley dead. Defense attorneys say the shooting was accidental. After the hearing, Gurley’s partner, Kimberly Ballinger, said her family wants the indictment to lead to a conviction.

Kimberly Ballinger: “I want to thank the DA’s office for getting us an indictment. This is the first step in justice. Now all we need is a conviction, which I have faith that we will get. … It’s hard. There’s like no way to express it. It’s really hard when someone that used to be in a home isn’t there anymore. Not only is it hard for me and my kids. It’s hard for his mom and his aunt and his family, as well.”