[Colofornian]

Although the passenger was not holding a weapon, he had access to one (in glove compartment).

(So now we'll have a rhetorical "battle" over definition of what "armed" and "unarmed" is)

From the article:

Reid, 36, had spent about 13 years in prison for shooting at New Jersey State Police troopers when he was a teenager. He was also arrested last year on charges including drug possession and obstruction; Days was one of the arresting officers then.

[bramps]

The perps next move was going to be going after the cop. Good job, officer. Sorry for the ensuing headache.

[DoodleDawg]

Although the passenger was not holding a weapon, he had access to one (in glove compartment).

So what? They shot the guy without a gun as a warning to the passenger?

[paint_your_wagon]

“I told you I’d shoot, but you didn’t believe me. Why didn’t you believe me!!!??”

[central_va]

When a cop has a weapon 6 inches from your head and yells “Don’t move” then don’t move.

[celmak]

What is clear on the video is that the passenger was clearly told not to move and he began pushing against the door as the officer was trying to keep it closed. The officer repeated the order not to move and the passenger came out anyway.

Frankly, with the close proximity of the weapon and the passenger not obeying and moving at the officer, there was a reasonable expectation for the officer to defend himself.

JUST COMPLY, DON'T DIE !!!

[House Atreides]

I did not see an “execution”. When the passenger got out of the car after repeatedly being told to not move, he SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY popped out. I’ve watched the video three times and my opinion is that it was a justified “fear for life” shooting. Maybe if I watch it 20 more times, I’d change my mind, but I doubt it. It was a tough call for the cop.

[gfbtbb]

Got one everyplace but the glove box. It’s full of owners manuals and other useless junk. That’s no reason to shoot.

So lets call it what it is.

A good old fashioned non judicial execution. Hitler would be proud. Anybody else might call it murder. That is after all what it was.

[NYRepublican72]

Another case where actually LISTENING to the officer is the difference between life and death. This wasn’t a nice guy. He had shot at cops before. The cops knew the guy from previous altercations. If he listens, he goes back to jail where he belongs. But he doesn’t. Too bad. So sad.

[mlo]

"(So now we'll have a rhetorical "battle" over definition of what "armed" and "unarmed" is)"

Perhaps, but armed or not armed is not the point. An armed man may not be a deadly threat, and an unarmed man may be.