very unfortunate for both sides. time to play monday morning quarterback.
Did not one cop have a less lethal shotgun or taser available? With all the deadly force cover, that would have been a no brainer to me. Why not put a patrol vehicle or cover between you and the armed subject if you feel you are in danger? Why shoot so many damn times? We are trained to shoot to stop the threat. I'd say when he is falling over the threat is stopped.
My guess is not one of those cops went there hoping to get to shoot an armed mentally disturbed black man. But I'm not impressed at all with their response. At least here, this scenario is not at all uncommon. Been there done that at least a dozen times myself so it really concerns me that it "appears" their options were limited to drop the knife or we kill you.
It is very likely this will be ruled justifiable because he had a knife and though it wasn't clear to me, he was likely moving towards an officer. However, if the department doesn't address the tactical/training issues going forward, I'd be very surprised. I'd also be surprised if there wasn't violations of policy in this response which would be handled administratively when the smoke clears.