[microgood]

What if he left the scene and kill several innocent people? You would be screaming the cops were idiots for not stopping him!

What if he was just drunk? Usually punishment is doled out after a trial. You do not kill people based on what they might do. If a cop cannot tell a cell phone from a gun, he should not be a cop. With two of them there it is hard to believe they both though it was a cell phone. I am sorry, but a presumption of innocence on the part of a citizen is more important than a cop's safety. This solution is too final to take so lightly. Someone is dead and the cops will walk away from it. Hell, maybe thats why some of them like to be cops - you get to kill people.

[sinkspur]

If a cop cannot tell a cell phone from a gun, he should not be a cop.

Could you tell, from a distance? Let me tell you something, mister. If a stranger points something at me, at night, I'm going to blow him away. I have a CCL, and the rule is "If you are in fear for your life, you have a right to use deadly force."

I am sorry, but a presumption of innocence on the part of a citizen is more important than a cop's safety.

Nope. You point ANYTHING at a police officer, you're as good as dead. Period.

[Poohbah]

a cop cannot tell a cell phone from a gun, he should not be a cop.

The shooter was pointing the cellphone at the cop with a two-handed shooting stance.

Also, there are guns available out there that are designed to look like cell phones.

[demlosers]

May be the cop thought it was a Cell phone gun?

Not that I'm defending the cops actions in either way.