Rep. Eric SwalwellEric Michael SwalwellDemocrats could introduce articles of impeachment next week The Hill's Morning Report - Dem dilemma on articles of impeachment Democrats debate scope of impeachment charges MORE (D-Calif.) needled Mayor Pete ButtigiegPeter (Pete) Paul ButtigiegDemocratic strategist: 'Medicare for All' exposes generational gap within party Yang expands campaign with senior hires for digital operations Biden: All-white debate not representative of party, but 'you can't dictate' nominee MORE on his handling of a police-involved shooting in his hometown of South Bend, Ind., telling Buttigieg on the Democratic debate stage that he should fire the city's police chief.

ADVERTISEMENT

While Buttigieg said he “accept[s] responsibility” for the shooting, in which a white police officer fatally shot a 54-year-old black man, Swalwell interrupted to tell the mayor: “You should fire the chief."

“So, under Indiana law, this will be investigated and there will be accountability for the officer involved,” Buttigieg replied. 

“But you’re the mayor,” Swalwell fired back.

He reiterated: “You’re the mayor. You should fire the chief, if that’s the policy and someone died.”

Swalwell's 2020 campaign has made addressing gun violence a prime focus. During the debate, when asked what issue he would first combat as president, he said "ending gun violence."

As Swalwell jabbed at Buttigieg, the mayor's facial expression quickly gained traction on Twitter. CNN editor-at-large Chris Cillizza described Buttigieg’s look as a “death stare.”

Swalwell and Buttigieg are two of 10 Democratic 2020 hopefuls who took the stage for Thursday night’s debate in Miami.

Tags Pete Buttigieg Eric Swalwell Rachel Maddow South Bend shooting 2020 Democratic debate