Cripes, this was a local sheriff's department in the face of a running gun battle where one deputy had already been killed - by a man with a long trail of death and violence behind him. It has NO bearing on creeping fascism under those circumstances. Just as you don't have to wait for due process if someone is shooting at you to resort to lethal force in return, neither should the SBSD in that situation.
Actually, I also heard on the scanner that the LAPD swat was on scene, so I am not clear yet on exactly who was running things on the ground. There were also reports that the Feds were on scene and/ or involved.
Just answer me this...if it is proven that plan A was to burn the perp out and torch private property, after he was holed up and surrounded by some 2000 or so officers, are you ok with that?
Also what is your opinion of the shootings by the LAPD on innocent civilians the week before while they were on the hunt?