NBC News " Hardball"-Transcript: South Carolina Shooting of Walter Scott

Interview

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MATTHEWS: Well, I`m joined right now by U.S. Congressman James Clyburn of
South Carolina. Congressman, you`ve been through a lot in your life.
What`s this about?

I don`t get it. I mean, in every police show we watch -- I`m talking about
television, which are apparently technically correct, you never see a
police officer shooting after a guy who`s running away. They race after
them. They try to tackle them. The try to subdue them with the least
amount of physical force.

And here we have a guy just shooting away at a guy who`s an older man --
he`s not a young guy and he`s not running that fast -- and just shooting
him eight times!

REP. JAMES CLYBURN (D), SOUTH CAROLINA: Yes, Chris. Thank you so much for
having me. Let me once again say how much I appreciate the Scott family,
the way they have responded to this. They`re just the salt of the earth.
I don`t know exactly where this event occurred, but they are my
constituents and I really appreciate them a whole lot.

I also want to thank the mayor of North Charleston, the chief of police for
responding so quickly and so forcefully, and I think appropriately, to this
event.

Chris, you said that I`ve had a lot of experiences in my life. You know,
I`ve said to you all of them haven`t been pleasant, but all of them I
consider to be blessings. And I have been blessed growing up in South
Carolina with good people like the Scotts. I`ve also been blessed with
knowing good people like the elected officials that are speaking out on
this.

I spoke earlier today with the governor. In fact, on Monday, I did a
ribbon-cutting with Mayor Summey. I know the chief. And I`m not surprised
that they reacted so quickly and so forcefully.

But the problem we`ve got is that a climate has been created in the country
that`s causing these things to occur all over. And Chris, I know I get a
lot of criticism of this from some of my friends, but this so-called
American Legislative -- whatever they call that group...

MATTHEWS: I know.

CLYBURN: ... ALEX -- (sic)

MATTHEWS: ALEX. (sic)

CLYBURN: Legislative Exchange Council -- they have been drawing up these
legislations, pieces of legislation like "stand your ground." That
legislation gives a license for people to be vigilantes. They are the ones
that are drawing up all these so-called voter ID laws. They are the ones
that have been drawing up these unfair redistricting plans.

These people are a cancer eating at the innards of our society, and it`s
time for our elected officials to start speaking out about this because the
climate that`s being created is not a good climate. And that`s why you
have these rogue police officers feeling they have license to do what they
want to do and there will be no consequences paid for it. And I think that
that`s the mindset of this police officer.

MATTHEWS: Thank you very much, U.S. Congressman James Clyburn. I have a
lot of respect for you, sir, and thank you for coming on tonight.

I`m joined right now by Val Demings, the former police chief of Orlando,
Florida. Also joined right now by Jim Cavanaugh, a retired special agent
in charge in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. He`s an MSNBC
contributor.

Chief Demings, your thoughts about -- give me the rules now on shooting a
fleeing felon. What are the rules in police discipline? What are you
supposed to do when a guy runs away from you, whatever the incident that
caused it? What are your ground rules?

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