[DouglasKC]

He knew that Brown did not have one. He also had available to him a tazer and baton and back-up that he should have called. SO why the deadly force of 8 shots.

Because Saint Mike had already proven he was willing to do anything to take out the cop. He attacked/assaulted the cop while the cop was still in his vehicle. He attempted to get the weapon from the cop. Size didn't matter. Saint Mike had no leverage in the window fight. Saint Mike then tried to run away. Cop gets out tells him stop, Saint Mike doubles down and tries to come back at the cop.

It was violent, charged situation. Saint Mike didn't want to go to jail for robbing the store. Saint Mike made the choice and died for it.

[Uncle Chip]

Because Saint Mike had already proven he was willing to do anything to take out the cop.

Anything being what???

did he pull a knife???

did he attack him with a cigar???

It appears to have been a mano to mano wrestling match between evenly sized opponents that did not require a gun to be brought into it.

Brown broke off and ran away from it.

Why chase him down and shoot then???

Where was his tazer or baton or back-up???

If the cop was still afraid for his life then get in the SUV, roll-up the window, and lock the door, and call in the report to dispatch, and wait for back-up.