Vermitsky said during the news conference that he is disappointed in O’Neill’s decision not to charge McGuire criminally. He said his law firm conducted its own investigation, which included talking to witnesses and viewing the body-camera footage, and came to a different conclusion than O’Neill.

“It is important that those differences are addressed through the civil system and not out in the public,” he said. “We’ve been very grateful, and I know the family has been very grateful that violence hasn’t happened in our community and on our streets. We asked that the community bear patience with us.”

David Freedman, attorney for McGuire, said McGuire appreciates that he was cleared but takes no joy in it.

“He did what he had to do,” Freedman said. “I’ve sat with a number of officers in similar situations, and not once have I seen any officer act with joy or be happy with what they had to do. Quite the opposite, I’ve sat with a number of officers who were crying. It is not easy for an officer when they discharge a weapon and there is an injury or a death.”

‘Stop reaching!’

According to O’Neill, this is what happened on March 30: