[subterfuge]

If the officer was really in fear for his life, how does he let a 16 yo get close enough to poke him with a bayonet?

If it happened as stated, why does the officer not take the boy down as I'm sure "he has been trained" to do without killing him?

Has any police officer anywhere not "responded as he was trained"? You never, ever, hear a police Chief say "officer So-And-So handled this imporperly and definately shouldn't have shot the suspect in the back."

I'm not defending the kids actions, but don't the cops ever take a risk to try and help the confused? It was a kid.

One more instance where the parents are making a mistake to call the cops. "Hello, police? Yeah, my kid is acting up again. Could you come over and shoot him or something?"

[Mark17]

If the officer was really in fear for his life, how does he let a 16 yo get close enough to poke him with a bayonet?

They can come at you real fast, especially if your weapon is in your holster. The article says he jumped out of the bushes and repeatedly charged the officer. I am wondering how many times does he have to charge, before action is taken? No matter how you look at it, the whole situation is tragic. I think domestic disturbances, are the situations officers dread responding to most.

[FreedomHasACost]

"If the officer was really in fear for his life, how does he let a 16 yo get close enough to poke him with a bayonet?"

Because he was trying to do as you suggest and not hurt him. He tried handling it calmly.

"If it happened as stated, why does the officer not take the boy down as I'm sure "he has been trained" to do without killing him?"

Because you are trained to do that when possible but when their is a life in immediate risk you cannot take the chances. It is him or you.

"but don't the cops ever take a risk to try and help the confused? It was a kid."

It sounds like that was what he was doing when he got poked with the bayonet.

You don't understand it is a cops nightmare to kill someone and not something done for fun. This guy probably can't live with himself tonight. I KNOW this man would not do anything but what was absolutely necessary.