“Given the ever increasingly dangerous situation, if I saw someone off my peripheral vision crouching, making a fist, reaching behind his back...I too would draw my weapon to defend myself.”
Well he did that, and now he’s out of a job! I’ve softened my opinion of the situation but only in light of the other sorry episodes this officer was involved with prior to this event. Nevertheless, he was running around in a semi-out of control mode prior to the gun incident. He should not have been there given what we are told subsequently was his state of mind, I place more blame on his supervisors that they didn’t treat him appropriately and for not sending him alone to the pool melee. Probably a good guy most of the time, but now after 12 years he’s going to have to find another line of work.
I believed he resigned due the enormous 'flack' he received because his treatment/actions towards bikini girl....not crouching threatening kid.I do agree that dealing with two suicides prior to being called to the scene of the illegal trespassing pool party/gate crashing youths would affect one's state of mind. His supervisor should establish new protocols to enable officers to 'deflate' prior to being placed in yet another stressful environment