They got within 30 feet of the kid in their cruiser. It’s a pathetic situation. Anyone who can’t tell a child from 100 feet is blind.
Even if he were a fully grown adult, carrying a rifle is not a killing offense.
I don’t read that there was anything in the kids manner or behavior that could have been thought threatening. They could have just left him alone; they are not mandated to shoot peaceful citizens going about their business - even if they are carrying a weapon - absent something else.
If the kid had turned to the cops and said “Fill your hands, coppers!” - well even that would not rise to justification for a shooting.
This whole thing stinks of anti-gun hysteria.