I don't know the back story of what the officers may or may not have known.. for example, if he made threats to his wife about suicide, did the wife call for the cops without the husband knowing about it.. in other words, was there more to the story. Cops don't generally respond to EMS calls unless they are requested by someone on scene.
While the news anchor may have known after the fact that he was going to bed... his standing up while saying "go fuck yourselves" or "fuck you" is never a good idea when a volatile situation is happening with officers present.
But based on the video, and playing arm chair quarterback with less than all the facts, here is my thoughts..
IF they in fact felt he was suicidal or made suicidal threats, were there not qualified mental health officers that could respond to the scene and make an on site evaluation? Just because someone says they are going to shoot themselves, unless they have the means, a plan etc etc it isn't all that concerning. However even if he said that to the officers as "hyperbole", he placed them in a position of responsibility if they were to leave without investigating it further and he did pop a cap.
Next, what is the deal with officers not wanting to go hands on anymore? I've seen video after video where they just seem to automatically go to the taser rather than both of them taking an arm and escorting him to where they want him? I think while tasers are an excellent tool and save injuries to the officers and the citizen, it is overused in many instances when a simple arm lock or in this case, probably both just grabbing each wrist and walking him out would suffice. If he pulled away, bowed up, took a swing and they wanted to zap him, then it would make more sense.
but you gotta admit... taser cams are the bomb
