Boston Globe Shows New Bedford Police Were Right [OPINION]

Almost a decade ago, a 15-year-old Black boy stabbed a Black New Bedford Police Officer and the stabber was shot dead. Thankfully the Black officer survived.

The sad life story of Malcolm Gracia is back in the news. Almost a decade has elapsed since the day that young man decided he wanted to die at the hands of the police. He was following a family tradition in that regard. His father had attempted to kill at least one Dartmouth police officer when he assaulted the officer with a screwdriver. The Dartmouth police did the job we hire all police officers to do and they killed the violent aggressor.

If a person will attack a highly trained and fully equipped police officer what do you think they will do to you, me, or our family members?

According to reports, Malcolm Gracia didn't have a relationship with his homicidal father. Sadly, he doesn't appear to have had much of a relationship with any adult relatives. He was off his mental health medication and living on the streets.

Malcolm Gracia's sister was able to receive a one-time payment of $500,000 from an insurance company that had a policy with the City of New Bedford. The settlement from the insurance company was not an admission of guilt by the police or the city.

The young man had a horrible life. He was sick and he was neglected. He stabbed a police officer and the police shot him. Multiple witnesses observed his attack on Detective Tyson Barnes, a Black police officer, and his refusals to stop his aggressive knife-wielding behavior.

Now there is a conspiracy theory that the Black officer is lying about being stabbed.

Insanity.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.