Outrage erupted after all charges against Aaron Torgalski and Robert McCabe — the police officers who violently shoved 75-year-old Martin Gugino to the sidewalk outside Buffalo City Hall during a Black Lives Matter protest last year, leaving the long-time peace activist hospitalized with a skull fracture — were dropped Thursday when a grand jury declined to indict the two officers on charges of felony assault.
The blatant and, thanks to video captured by local NPR affiliate WBFO, widely seen act of police brutality took place on June 4, 2020, less than two weeks after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers inspired a nationwide wave of demonstrations against police violence.
As Common Dreamsreported at the time, all 57 officers in the Buffalo Police Department's Emergency Response Team resigned from their positions on the unit the following day to protest the suspension of Torgalski and McCabe.
The two officers were immediately suspended without pay before being put back on the payroll in July, despite still facing second-degree assault charges for causing a traumatic brain injury that left Gugino unable to walk for more than one week.
Torgalski and McCabe "remain suspended from duty pending an internal investigation into the June 4 incident," CNN reported Friday. As New York magazine noted, "the internal-affairs inquiry... was on hold as BPD awaited the outcome of the criminal case."
Discussing the grand jury's decision, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said during a news conference Thursday that he "sandbagged nothing" when presenting the case to the jurors.
"I went into that grand jury, I put all relevant evidence into that grand jury," said Flynn. "I put multiple witnesses in that grand jury. I put everything that was not cumulative into that grand jury. And you got my word on that."
Gugino on Thursday told Spectrum News Buffalo, a CNN affiliate, that he was "a little surprised" by the grand jury's dismissal of the case.
"I think there was pressure on [Flynn] to get at least an indictment, an expectation that the justice system would do something to try to change the direction of the police department, change the reality of the police in the street," said Gugino. "I think it will happen that people are disappointed that this misfired."
Gugino's prediction proved correct, as a number of observers expressed disgust over the grand jury's refusal to indict Torgalski and McCabe.
"Despite the video evidence of the officers' misconduct, a grand jury has dismissed the charges," tweeted former secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro. "Interested to hear their rationale."
This article was originally published by Common Dreams. You can read it here.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.