A toy gun or plastic gun a kid would point at things including maybe people while pointing it all around while playing. That's pretty much the point kind off along with target practice if it was that kind of. Maybe could ban them altogether otherwise.
As i said before, Seems overly trigger happy behavior to me considering -
1) The caller said it was probably a toy gun.
2) Non lethal weapons were available with the police.
3) It wasn't even pointed at Police at the time and he had not issued any threats.
4) They were dealing with a child like a normal criminal seeing details telling him to put his arms up, instead of explaining to him. Seeking for his guardian/parents etc....
5) After the first shot and 2nd was fired into him too.
To me infact it even seems tough to justify shooting at a 12 year old who seems to look his age pretty much, unless he fires the first shot somewhere.
Ultimately, i guess in such sort of situations to put it bluntly maybe it comes down too would you rather risk some innocent lives or would you rather risk the cops life and place burden there. Maybe cops should be given instructions to use more types of non lethal weapons and also bullet proof vests and protection to prevent panic ? USA can afford that, i imagine. And maybe training to shoot to wound when they can under special circumstances only like the case before when unarmed.
http://www.wcpo.com/news/state/stat...revent-more-police-shootings-in-toy-gun-cases
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/22/ohio-grand-jury-evidence-walmart-shooting
http://www.theguardian.com/world/20...e-video-walmart-shooting-john-crawford-police
Seems this type of shooting has happened before too and Grand Jury cleared in that case too with a BB air rifle at Walmart and a prank call.