CNN Debate Erupts After Ex-Cop Says That Police Shootings Aren't 'Epidemic': 'You Can't Just Talk Nonsense on National Television!

An on-air clash between CNN analysts Sunny Hostin and Harry Houck over recent police shootings that have made national headlines became so heated on Tuesday night that host John Berman had to step in to ask his guests to speak "one at a time."

The conversation devolved after Houck, a retired NYPD official, said that he doesn't believe police shootings are an "epidemic," as some have charged — a claim that led Hostin to start talking over him in protest.

"I don't see this happening in epidemic proportions," Houck said. "There are millions and millions of interactions with police officers every day out here on the street."

Before he could finish his point, though, Hostin jumped in to say that his claims simply aren't true. As she continued to talk over him, he shot back, "Will you let me finish?" But she continued, asking, "Why are black men 21 percent more likely to be killed by police officers?"

Houck rebutted that there are actually more whites than blacks killed by cops, but that did little to temper anger, with Berman at one point stepping in to ask his guests to take turns, rather than talk over one another.

"You can't just talk nonsense on national television," Hostin said.

Watch the heated clash below:

As TheBlaze previously reported, this conversation came as protests erupted on the streets of Chicago this week following the city's release of a graphic video showing an officer fatally shoot a 17-year-old last year.

(H/T: Mediaite)

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