And rolling up in an unmarked vehicle and jumping out guns drawn that anyone would assume to be a robbery? I consider that the mediating factor here.
Had they blocked him off with black and white, fine whatever. Had they tapped on his window and showed credentials, great.
But they didn't. They used the same exact tactics a car jacker or robber would have used and he reacted accordingly. He had every right to fear for HIS life in the situation, the cops put themselves there with their piss poor tactics.
Perhaps if they received a stiff consequence for their bad tactics that led to an innocent man being killed other officers might be more encouraged to stop and think of the tactics they choose to employee.
Well there are a number of issues here that do not negate each other.
Did they have probable cause to make an arrest? Yes.
Is this a "drug prohibition" issue? No.
Did they use good tactics in making that arrest? No.
Did the pastor have a reason to fear he was being carjacked or robbed? Yes.
Did the officers have reason to believe a criminal was fleeing arrest in a vehicle? Also yes.
Should the shooter have been carrying a weapon on the job? No.
Did the shooter have an arguable reason to fear for his life? Yes.
This is not cut and dry. And one issue in favor of the pastor does not negate everything in favor of the officers, and vice versa.
This is not "valiant public servants taking down a hardened criminal" OR "jackbooted thugs murdering innocent civilians". No matter how much either side wants to make it out to be one or the other.