I wasn't trying to defend the guy's actions, I was merely stating what *I* would do.
This next isn't directed at you, it's a general comment on the thread:
Let's say the cops had intel saying that this guy was dealing a boatload of drugs out of his house. I think that's a fair assumption since the cops generally don't do predawn raids over a couple lousy ounces of pot. We all know that where there are drugs, there are a) guns and b) money.
So, the cops make the decision to raid as opposed to picking him up off the street. Personally, I'd have rather gotten him on the street - less dangerous to all involved. So, the cops raid the guy's house, and he goes for a gun. He gets shot.
In light of what the cops found, vs. what they expected to find, it was a damn shame that he got killed. However (and keep in mind, we don't know what the cops actually expected to find), the raid itself may have been justified based on what they thought would be there. To borrow a phrase from the war, it was an intelligence failure. He was probably dealing - not many 20 somethings just happen to have baggies and postage meters unless they're dealing. He didn't get killed over two stinkin' ounces of dope - he got killed because he went for a gun.
Do you know how easy it is to get a judge to sign a warrant?