John Cardillo: Tamir Rice’s Parents Were “Absentee”

A grand jury on Monday declined to indict a white police officer in the killing of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old black boy who was shot while playing with what turned out to be a pellet gun.

In explaining the decision, Cuyahoga County prosecutor Tim McGinty said it was “indisputable” that the boy was drawing the pistol from his waistband when he was gunned down. McGinty said Tamir was trying to either hand the weapon over to police or show them it wasn’t real, but the officer and his partner had no way of knowing that.

Tamir’s family condemned the decision but echoed the prosecutor in urging those who are disappointed to express themselves “peacefully and democratically.”

John Cardillo, of the John Cardillo Show, joined Jim Watkins to discuss the ruling and how it came about. Cardillo is a former New York police officer. He says he has spoken to many officers involved in this case and that Rice’s parents were absent from the whole incident. Also, that you’re more likely to get hit by lightning than to get shot at by a police officer.

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Below is a picture of Tamir’s replica firearm and an actual .45 Colt M1911 semi-automatic pistol. Can you tell which is which?

Tamir Rice gun comparison