[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by lostalex

how would that be the logical outcome? if the kid was threatening them with it, they have no way of knowing it's a fake, and they had every reason to assume it was real.

If they can't tell a plastic toy from a real AK47 then they shouldn't be officers as it shows they lack basic observational skills and have terrible judgement. This kid shouldn't be blamed for these officers' shortcomings. They handled the situation completely wrong and murdered a child in the process.

No allowances should be made for them and this kid shouldn't be made a scapegoat for their crime. Excusing behavior like this just encourages more officers to grow trigger happy. Police Officers wield a lot of power and they need to face consequences when they misuse it, especially in a country like America where most officers are armed at all times.