When confronted by someone who is batsh*t crazy, survival chances improve greatly via attempts to de-escalate the agitated nutter. Gentle conversation would include introducing yourself, avoiding direct eye contact, asking the nutter his name, and making non-threatening small talk while assessing how to safely reach a weapon, and otherwise neutralize the aggressor.
it is a little bit different in this case because he was hoping 911 didnt hang up on him and was listening to the conversation. he was asking questions so that operator would get the idea.
What is interesting is that this was not a land line. It was a cell phone. So I guess they had to triangulate??? I wonder at what point did they discover this was a VIP versus just hanging up the 911 call