n0mesorah,
“This report leaves us guessing as to what started the altercation. Arrest for open warrant? Trespassing? Just a disagreement? Insults? The big difference is why could he not just leave in peace. Even if this is to be the whole story, I would still disagree with you on both points.”
Why would it matter what and how the altercation started?
For argument’s sake, let us assume that the altercation was unjustified and could have been avoided at an earlier stage and diffused. At this point in the altercation, what other options did these police officers have?
You keep on mentioning that there is the potential threat of someone else who is not involved in the altercation that can shoot at the police, why do you believe this to be a considerable threat, has that yet happened. To me, this seems to be a suicide act, for someone to start shooting at three armed police officers.
“What is wrong with him getting into his car with his children with his knife? I carry a knife all the time. Is it against the law for me to have children in my car?
Fatal force is reserved only for life treating or some defensive situations. If your point is that the police were scared that he would attack his kids, that was my storyline. Nobody reported that.”
You really need this to be spelled out?
Carrying a knife, vs physically attacking police officers then holding the knife as they attempt to arrest you and disobey their orders to lay down the weapon (which you would are allowed to carry) is a considerable threat.
I am not sure if the officers were aware that these are his children or not., Or if this even makes any difference. They were faced with a situation if the suspect who is a known criminal ends up harming the children. Would it be on them?
You have yet to offer an alternative action that you deem would be appropriate for this exact scenario.