It sounds like he was actually climbing up to get on top of the roof and still hanging there, legs swinging, when the confrontation occurred. So probably not in a position to reach for his gun or fire on the guy.
Thank you for posting that. That is exactly what it says — he was being hoisted up by another officer and had his two hands on the roof edges (maybe even a gutter) trying to push up.
There was nothing else viable for him to do but drop down, and then the shooting started immediately.
This situation never should have occurred in the first place. We should not be going after the officer who tried to get up there. There are many other issues with this event.
“”It sounds like he was actually climbing up to get on top of the roof and still hanging there, legs swinging, when the confrontation occurred. So probably not in a position to reach for his gun or fire on the guy.””
I read it the same way - his hands were used/needed for climbing with help from someone else. It was thought perhaps there was an entry onto the roof from inside that building and the shooter could have gotten on the roof that way but other reports mention him climbing...how, I have no idea..others assumed a ladder? Lots of conjecture!