From what I have been able to piece together from various vids (I probably have not seen all of them) there were several police, some very heavily armed, mixed in with the crowd, some not far from the doorway. Not one seems to be in any way shape or form acting to defend that doorway or get between the protesters and the doorway.
If that doorway is such a "last line of defense", how come none of the heavy artillery is attempting to protect it? I find it hard to believe that crowd would have attempted to physically attack a hefty defense. Heck, the crowd (and the police we see on the crowd's side of the door) seem completely taken aback by one pistol(?) shot.
I completely agree with your take on it. And if the crowd had really had any intent to harm anyone the shooting of the girl would have set them off.
I suspect that possibility was part of what alarmed the cops but only momentarily. It quickly became obvious that the crowd was not going to attack them.
I agree that both the cops and the crowd were alarmed that a shot had been fired.
“I find it hard to believe that crowd would have attempted to physically attack a hefty defense.”
That bothers me too. It appeared that there were a couple of security guys (on the small side) just calmly standing there. One of the protestors had his back to the guards and seemed to me with his hands outstretched to be telling the crowd to back off.
And the crowd presses in, and the security guards leave with the heavily armed riot police that are standing in the stairway. Obviously with the furniture piled up on the other side of the door this was viewed as a critical entrance. I think those riot police could have done more - but that’s easy for me to say just sitting here.
But an announcement? “Anyone going through these doors will be met with deadly force.” (They have those signs at various military places) Tear gas, pepper spray, etc.