no doubt the guy was an idiot with a death wish but the officers could have handled the situation better.
In a news conference, St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson confirmed the shooting in the city's Sixth District. The suspect came within 3 or 4 feet of two police officers and "brandished a knife" during a convenience store altercation and yelled, "Shoot me; kill me now," Dotson said.
Some witnesses described the incident as "suicide by cop" — a situation in which someone with a death wish engages in activity that may prompt a law enforcement officer to shoot at them...
The suspect walked into a convenience store, stole some energy drinks, walked out, walked back in again and stole some pastry, Dotson said.
According to witness Robert Addison, the suspect attempted to walk out with donuts and something to drink and when the proprietor told the suspect that he'd stolen the goods. The suspect then " the suspect "responded by throwing down the food and shouting, 'I don't need this,' " Addison recounted.
The store owner called police as the man paced in front of the store, Dotson said. When police arrived, the man "brandished a knife," Dotson said.
Addison said the suspect walked to the driver's-side door of the police cruiser and screamed, "You are going to have to kill me before you take me to jail."
Police asked the man if he had a weapon and the man produced an object, Addison said.
From about 7 or 8 feet away from the officers, the man continued to scream and the officers yelled at him to freeze, according to Addison. When the man took a "half step" toward the police, they fired, each firing about five times, Addison said.
Witness Aaron Morris described the suspect as a mentally challenged man with a "child-like mind." He said he believes the police overreacted.