He did have a gun when he answered the door, pointed at the floor. After the cop shot him the cop told him to drop the gun, but he probably didn’t have it at that time. Also, while he is in his death spasms the cop tells him to “stop moving”.
It's tragic indeed that this kid died.It sounds as if he was a fine kid who was serving honorably in the Armed Forces.From his point of view the situation was surprising and puzzling...he didn't know what to do. e made the unfortunate decision to open the door with a gun.What he did wasn't wrong...it was just unwise.
From the cop's point of view...he was called to a domestic disturbance,a situation that years of history shows *often* involves a scumbag guy with a gun and a vow that he'll never go back to prison. e arrives at the scene...having been directed to the wrong apartment...and sees a young guy with a gun.
If this cop in Arizona a few years ago was found not guilty (a very well known case) then this cop is innocent of criminal acts.