Did the kid shoulder the weapon and fire at the police?
The training of police officers MUST change. They are too quick to assume they are in danger. IF the kid had an AK47 (why would an American kid be walking down the road with an AK47?), why would the officer place himself in jeopardy? Why not confront the kid from cover (behind the vehicle)?
I’m going home safe, at the end of my shift, no matter how many kids (and dogs) I have to kill.
He did -- the cowardly cop was behind the vehicle, actually behind the engine on the far side of the vehicle which is safer -- but he just wanted to be a hero that day and heroism to him was shooting someone in the back.
Any excuse can be used to implement lethal force, from shouldering an RPG to brandishing nail clippers. you can be holding a knife with a 1.5 inch blade or swinging a Samurai Sword. Same thing when it comes to the officer safety.