According to the police, stolen items were found on the deceased. It’s also said that he attempted to hit one of the cops. Still, if this had been some civilian out on the town, they’d be looking at Hispanic riots:
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20121112/NEWS01/311120005/Cpl-Allan-DeVillena-II-ID-d-Marine-killed-Palm-Springs
At a Monday afternoon press conference, Palm Springs Police Chief Alberto Franz read a statement saying DeVillena was shot and killed by police after the Marine attempted to drive a car into one officer after the other had already climbed halfway through the passenger’s side window. The statement also contained information about a stolen cell phone, ID card and ATM card that were reportedly found in the vehicle.
If true this is a good reason to fire. Using an SUV as a weapon is attempt murder. The question is, did it actually happen that way? Sorry that I have become so skeptical of police versions of events but there are too many cases of post facto invention of circumstances to excuse bad actions.