I don't think the police have the right to be judge, jury and executioner... but I do believe they have the right to protect themselves and the public by whatever means is required, while not in excess of this.
It isn't all that they could think of, however after they'd tried all their other options it seems a fairly appropriate response. Honestly until some new fact emerges while it is indeed very sad that he had to be killed I feel the police did the right thing.
If someone was coming at me with knives, had been acting erratic, I'd already tried the spray and as they came towards me and I fired warning shots they just kept coming... I would shoot.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE 3 PART SERIES WHERE THEY MADE 'DAVID' AN ANIMORPH AND THEN THEY HAD TO GET RID OF HIM!?!?!? i hated that part. Best book in the entire series had to be the elimist chronicals.
You like strategy games Iron?
http://www.totalwar.com/
http://au.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/empiretotalwar/index.html
looks up your alley, I can't wait :o