It was reported to be a pellet gun. Is a pellet gun a "real" gun.
Are you willing to stand up and let me shoot you with my pellet gun? Pellet guns can be every bit as deadly at close range as a 22 cal. bullet.
Pellet guns also look like real guns. There seems to be alot we don't know here, it's unfortunate. Once police are confronted by a person holding what appears to be a pistol they have little choice if the person does not obey police orders. Too bad.
In my time the police were not called first. Shall we all bow down to the almighty Police state? I think not. Unless you were the candy-ass that went crying to momma when they got hit with a bb. Appraisal of the situation is important.