New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks at an October 2006 press conference at City Hall in New York.  Photo Gallery >>>

    NEW YORK, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Monday that it seemed "excessive force was used" when a groom was killed Saturday on his wedding day by police gunfire and he called the practice "unacceptable."

    "I can tell you that it is to me unacceptable or inexplicable how you can have 50-odd shots fired, but that's up to the investigation to find out what really happened," the mayor told a press conference after meeting with police commissioner and community leaders to discuss the shooting.

    "The police department's policy on shooting when a car is being used as a weapon is clear," Bloomberg said, adding that "it would appear that the policies of the police department were broken."

    Under police department's regulation, police officers "shall not discharge their firearms at or from a moving vehicle unless force is being used against the police officers or another person present, by means other than a moving vehicle."

    But Bloomberg stressed that the investigation into the shooting is ongoing and that it is too early to draw any conclusions.

    Bell was killed in a hail of bullets fired by plain clothes police officers while he was in his car leaving his bachelor party the morning of his wedding. Suspecting that one of the men in the car had a gun, police fired 50 rounds into Bell's vehicle. Bell and his two passengers, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, were later found to be unarmed. Police are investigating if a fourth person fled.

    Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the confrontation stemmed from an undercover operation by seven officers investigating the club. The five police officers who fired shots have been placed on administrative duty and have turned in their weapons.

    Kelly said police opened fire after Bell's car drove forward and struck an undercover officer and an unmarked police minivan.

    Bloomberg urged local law enforcement officers to proceed with their investigation as quickly as possible. Investigators are said to be reviewing evidence Monday, preparing to put the case before a grand jury sometime next week.

    Earlier Monday, Bell's fiance went to the scene of the shooting to light candles. She and Bell were to be married Saturday night.

    Demonstrators took to the streets Sunday to protest Bell's shooting. Hundreds gathered for a vigil and rally outside the hospital where Bell's two friends are still recovering from their gunshot wounds.

    They called for an immediate investigation into Saturday's incident, with some community leaders calling for the officers involved to be suspended and for the black community to get involved.