[Gaffer]

I read that they “backed off” and approached from another angle at a later time. You’re honestly telling me they didn’t check this guy out beforehand? You have no idea what police unit computer info per state here brings up.

[Alberta's Child]

The police were in plain clothes, and were there at the building to execute an arrest warrant on someone else. They ignored the guy even when they saw him rolling a joint. They then noticed him smoking the joint and holding a gun, so they decided to take action.

They "backed off" because they weren't in uniform, and had to get their bulletproof vests and other police gear on before approaching him.

They also called for backup, and the dashcam video you see is from the police car that arrived on the scene. I may be wrong about this, but I believe the police officer who arrives in that car is the only uniformed cop on the scene -- and may even be the one who shot the perp.

[Alberta's Child]

P.S. — What I’m saying is that the police probably would have pursued the same course of action if they knew the guy had no criminal record and had no legal constraints on carrying the gun.